A MAN who repeatedly punched two women in an unprovoked attack in the beer garden of a Runcorn pub has been jailed for more than two years.

James Patrick Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a person and causing them actual bodily harm.

The 27-year-old, from Torrington Drive in Halewood, was sentenced for the offences at Chester Crown Court. He was jailed for two years and three months.

The incident took place at the Chambers pub in High Street, Runcorn, at around 1.30am on Saturday, December 29.

One of the victims – 33 and 32-year-olds from Runcorn – had asked Jones and a woman he was with for a cigarette light.

The request was refused and Jones then became aggressive towards the victims.

He repeatedly punched them before kicking one of the women whilst she was lying on the ground.

Jones then fled the scene.

The victims were both left with facial injuries.

One of them was taken to hospital and was discharged after receiving treatment.

Police constable Stuart Beswick, who led the investigation into the incident of behalf of Runcorn local policing unit, said: "I am delighted that Jones is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions.

"The victims had been enjoying a night out when he subjected them to a vicious and unprovoked assault.

"The frightening incident understandably left them both extremely shaken up.

"It also left them with facial injuries, with one of the victims having suffered extensive bruising.

"The consequences of this incident could have been far worse, and with it having been captured on CCTV Jones was left with little choice but to plead guilty to the assaults."

On top of the custodial sentence, Jones was banned from going to the Runcorn pub for two years and ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.

PC Beswick added: "This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and I would like to reassure members of the public that the strongest action possible will be taken against those who commit this type of crime.

"I hope the sentence that has been handed down via the courts deters others from committing similar crimes and that it provides some closure for the victims and enables them to move forward with their lives."