Award-winning hairdresser Lisa Candy wept and shouted “what about my son?” as she was jailed for her part in “appalling and disgraceful violence.”

Candy, 22, of Carter Close, Hawkinge, and her then partner Joshua Prett, 22, of Coolinge Lane, Folkestone, were captured by CCTV in a prolonged onslaught, climaxing in them viciously kicking an unconscious man.

A court saw how Prett had continued kicking him on the ground after Candy had stopped.

The mum, a top stylist and technician for Vatican Hairdressing in Canterbury's Mercery Lane, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm when she appeared at Canterbury Crown Court.

Prett had admitted assault attempting grievous bodily harm.

Candy’s barrister had urged the judge to consider a suspended sentence, because a prison sentence would also punish her son.

Distraught Candy burst into tears when she was jailed for eight months.

She wept as she was led away to the cells “what about my son?” and “look after him” to family and friends in court.

James Bilsland, prosecuting, said the victim Lee Philpott had been on his way home from a Folkestone chip shop at 2am on May 26 2012, having been to a nearby bar in Tontine Street.

An independent witness had heard the comment “let’s sort this out, just you and me” between Mr Philpott and Prett. Both men had appeared equally willing to fight.

Prett and Candy had hit and shoved Mr Philpott, before ultimately kicking him after he had fallen to the ground.

Canterbury Crown Court, where Candy and Prett were jailed

Mr Philpott had recalled waking up in a police car in a lot of pain with a bad headache.

He had bruising, grazes and a chipped tooth and was seen by a doctor, before going to hospital for a CT scan because the headaches were continuing. Nothing showed up on the scan.

Simon Taylor, defending Prett, said he was twice seen walking away but being followed by Mr Philpott. Prett had “wholly over-reacted”.

Benjamin Seifert, defending Candy, said she had admitted at the outset kicking Mr Philpott in the head.

She had behaved reprehensibly although there were points where she had tried to split the two men apart. At the end, she had dragged Prett away.

Candy had said Mr Philpott had called her a “slag” and on another occasion had made a pass at her. Prett had not liked the other man’s advances.

Candy worked for Canterbury-based Vatican Hairdressing and had a shining career ahead. She had won the 2012 L’Oreal regional award as young colourist of the year and her work had been featured in Elle magazine.

She had a two-year-old son with Prett and appeared to be a “very organised and caring mother.” Prett and Candy were no longer together.

Her previous convictions, including assaulting police officers, had all been connected to drinking.

Judge Andrew Patience QC said the CCTV revealed scenes of “the most appalling and disgraceful violence.”

His first reaction had been to “thank the almighty” that one of the blows had not landed on the side of Mr Philpott’s neck.

He had dealt with cases where similar impacts had caused instant death.

Prett had 17 previous convictions for 26 offences including assaults on police officers, possessing an offensive weapon, criminal damage, battery and threatening behaviour.

For attempted GBH, he was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail.