TWO men have been sent to jail after launching a violent attack on a stranger outside a pub.

Ellis Gosney, of Lovely Lane in Whitecross, and Ainsley Stockton, of Holford Avenue in Bewsey, attacked Craig Swart outside The Rose Inn in Sankey Bridges in March.

Craig and his dad had been watching the Merseyside derby when they noticed Gosney and Stockton enter the pub.

Warrington Guardian:

The Rose Inn

On Thursday, Liverpool Crown Court heard that the pair were drunk and 'appeared aggressive'.

26-year-old Gosney and 29-year-old Stockton were 'shouting and chanting' at other people in the pub.

Derek Jones, prosecuting, said: "Mr Swart and his dad left the pub once the match had finished at around 6pm.

"The two defendants were outside still chanting and drinking.

"Mr Swart went to his car when one of the defendants threw a glass at it, which smashed off the side.

"Gosney then threw punches at Swart repeatedly and hit him in the side of his face with a glass.

Warrington Guardian:

Ellis Gosney

"When Swart fell to the floor, Stockton kicked him in the head and also threw punches."

The victim suffered a broken wrist, a black eye, bruises to his chest and arms and cuts to his face.

The court was told that he needed surgery to fix his wrist.

Other members of public who were inside the pub gave the names of the defendants to police.

In a victim personal statement, Craig Swart said: "It has been difficult to come to terms with what happened. It affected my personal life and job as my wrist was broken.

"Everyday things became a struggle and it was difficult to sleep so I had to take painkillers.

"No one deserves to go through what I went through."

Gosney has three previous convictions for five offences including affray, criminal damage and common assault while Stockton's record shows 13 convictions for 21 offences including ABH, battery and wounding with intent.

Stockton served time in prison 'for public safety'.

Warrington Guardian:

Ainsley Stockton

Julian Nuttall, defending Gosney, said: "He has a background of destabilisation and great tragedy in his life and as a result he turned to drink.

"Since the incident he has been completely sober.

"He has a good job and earns good money.

"He is ashamed of his behaviour and shows great remorse.

"His mum is absolutely shocked that his behaviour has come to this, he is from a good family."

Gosney's cousin Samantha was murdered last year by her boyfriend.

Michael Bagley, defending Stockton argued that because his client had joined in after the initial punches and didn't start the attack, he was not part of a 'sustained attack'.

He said: "He has undone a lot of good work since his last incarceration and realises that he loses control when intoxicated.

"He is still young enough to change."

Judge Stuart Driver sentenced Gosney to 27 months in prison for GBH while Stockton received 15 months for ABH.