PREMIERSHIP footballer Tim Cahill’s brother blinded a "defenceless" man in a brawl in Bromley town centre, a court has been told.

Sean Cahill, brother of Everton’s Australian international, is said to have "run riot" and kicked Chris Stapley twice in the face while on the ground.

Cahill, 29, allegedly launched the "extremely unpleasant attack" on Mr Stapley, 31, in an early-hours street scuffle after leaving Delano’s nightclub in East Street more than three years ago.

Jurors were shown CCTV of the attack and gruesome images of a cut and bloodied Mr Stapley at the start of the trial.

Cahill was wearing a suit in the dock at Croydon Crown Court with his family sitting just yards away. His midfielder star brother Tim did not attend court.

Mr Stapley told the court how he has had to undergo surgery after the retina in his right eye was pierced in the attack.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Cynthia Cruickshank said the toecap of Cahill’s boot contained the victim’s DNA, blood, skin and hair.

She said this was a one-in-a-billion match and proved that it was Cahill who delivered the blows.

Miss Cruickshank said Cahill punched "a number of members of the public" and was seen to "run riot among that group" before going "towards a man, who was lying prone on the ground, and kick him no less that twice in the same area of his body - the Crown say his face.

"The man on the ground was a defenceless person, " she added, "He was no longer able to defend himself in any way, shape or form."

Cahill was arrested at the scene at about 3am on Sunday July 11 2004, when he told officers: "Ok sir. Am I the only one being arrested", Miss Cruickshank said.

He made two no-comment police interviews.

Mr Stapley, who said he cannot remember the incident, told police in an interview he was "very drunk" and admitted under cross-examination that "anything could have happened"

Cahill denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The trial continues.