A MAN who attacked a cyclist in Weymouth town centre has been jailed for nearly two years.

Storm Darch, of Bramdon Lane, Portesham, appeared at Dorchester Crown Court to be sentenced for an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 21-year-old had admitted the offence in relation to an incident in Weymouth on the night of September 27 shortly after 10pm.

Prosecutor Tim Bradbury said the victim had been cycling along King Street when he passed Darch, who was standing outside a takeaway.

He said: “As he passed the defendant flicked some chillis at him.

“There was an exchange of words and the complaint rode on on his bicycle.

“However, he was seen by witnesses to run after the man on his bicycle into Ranelagh Road.”

Mr Bradbury said Darch was seen to pull his victim off his bicycle by a female witness.

He said: “She saw him stamp on his head some two to three times and punch his head two to three times.”

Mr Bradbury said the woman believed the victim had been rendered unconscious because he was making no effort to defend himself.

He added that the victim, who sustained a laceration to his head and bruising, had “very little recollection” of the assault.

The court was told that Darch, who also admitted a public order offence, was abusive towards police as they went to arrest him a short while later, telling one: “When you let me go I’m going to murder you.”

Mr Bradbury said he also kicked out twice at a nearby police car.

The court was told Darch had a number of previous convictions including for offences of affray, using threatening words or behaviour and theft from a person.

Jamie Porter, mitigating, explained that Darch had been taking steps to address his offending behaviour and that he had been abstaining from alcohol use.

He said: “He recognises the appalling behaviour, he recognises that he has been dreadfully violent to a number of people for no very good reason and that is wholly unacceptable.”

Mr Porter added that his client had entered his guilty plea at the first opportunity.

Judge Jonathan Fuller described the attack on the cyclist as “unforgivable”, .

He added: “What makes this case worse and aggravates it is that you seem to be a person who relishes street violence.”

The judge sentencing Darch to 20 months in prison for the attack on the cyclist and a further three months for his behaviour towards the police officers.

Darch was also made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order for a period of five years.