Luke Jeary needed stitches to the back of his head and suffered a broken nose which required an operation, and Adam Laing suffered wounds to his forehead after Simon Harvey viciously attacked them with a bottle.

Harvey (22), of 12 Retreat Estate, admitted two counts of unlawful wounding in Wimbotsham on March 13 this year when he appeared before Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday.

Wayne Abbot (21), of West View, Barroway Drove, Downham, was also sentenced for his part in the attack, after he admitted assaulting Mr Jeary by punching him.

He was given 150 hours unpaid work in the community and ordered to pay Mr Jeary £250 compensation.

Stephen Poole, prosecuting, said Mr Jeary and Mr Laing were sitting in a car on the night of the attack when the two defendants approached them.

He said there was no indication they were about to be attacked, but Abbot punched Mr Jeary without warning and Harvey then struck out with the bottle. Katherine Moore, mitigating for Harvey, said he was normally a respectable young man.

William Carter, for Abbot, said he had nothing to do with the attack on Mr Laing and had tried to restrain Harvey by pulling him away.

Jailing Harvey, Judge Simon Barham said: "You had been drinking in a pub and were in high spirits, and went over to a car and were involved in an unprovoked attack which was deplorable and inexcusable."

Abbot was also ordered to pay £100 towards prosecuting costs.