Daniel Hunt (23), of Flat 2, 5 Wells Road, Fakenham, Stuart Nelligan (23), of 4 Wellington Crescent, Sculthorpe, Dean Seppings (25), of 17 Kings Road, Fakenham, and Adrian Woodley (22), of 8 The Croft, Little Snoring, all pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and language when they appeared before Lynn magistrates on Monday.

The court heard the group had assaulted Dale Cooper in Bridge Street, Fakenham, shortly after 1am on Saturday, December 1, last year following a night's drinking.

Sentencing Hunt, Nelligan and Seppings to 100 hours unpaid work, chairman of the bench Mrs Holly Rawkins told them: "You could have been facing custody so be in no doubt it was a serious, serious matter and the bench takes it very seriously. Be in no doubt you are very lucky."

The trio were also ordered to pay £40 costs.

Prosecuting Mr Joe Ghirardello said it was obvious when police arrived on the scene Mr Cooper had been assaulted and CCTV footage showed each of the four men taking part in the attack.

Mr Ghirardello, who showed the video tape in court, said the charge could have been one of assault had the victim chosen to make a statement to police.

In mitigation, Hunt said the incident had been out of character and the result of "too much to drink and not a lot to eat."

Nelligan said the friends did not often drink as heavily as they had that night and the attack had not been unprovoked.

He added: "We don't go out fighting, we're not like that."

Woodley was also sentenced to 100 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £40 costs on Tuesday.