A cowardly thug who punched a man from behind before running away and hiding in bushes has been jailed.

David Dyer, of Ramsgate Road in Broadstairs, launched the unprovoked assault in Ramsgate in August last year.

The 34-year-old was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and pleaded guilty to further charges of breaching a restraining order and failing to answer bail.

He has now been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Canterbury Crown Court.

Police were called to reports of disorder in Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, shortly before 3am on August 28 last year.

CCTV showed Dyer approaching a man, who was sitting at a table using his mobile phone, before punching him twice from behind.

Dyer tried to flee when a witness pointed him out to police officers.

Following a small chase, he was found hiding under a bush in Broad Street.

PC Michael Watson, the investigating officer for this case, said: "This assault was senseless and entirely unprovoked.

"By choosing to strike an unaware man twice to the head Dyer has shown himself to be a danger to public safety and I welcome the sentence that has been imposed."