A 27-year-old man has been jailed for seven years following an attack on Lowestoft seafront which left the victim with a fractured jaw and fractured eye socket.

Simon Benstock, of Pakefield Street in Lowestoft, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, January 8, where he was sentenced to seven years for wounding and causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) in the attack that left a 56-year-old man with the facial fractures and considerable bruising and swelling to his face.

The incident had happened on Wellington Esplanade around 10.20pm on July 1, 2015 when the victim, who was walking along near the Claremont Pier, was confronted by Benstock, who was known to him.

Benstock punched the 56-year-old in the face, knocking him out, and the victim fell to the ground where he was repeatedly kicked in the head.

When Benstock was arrested by detectives he gave a 'no comment' interview but, with the victims' account and evidence that had been gathered by officers, he was charged and made his first court appearance in September 2015.

He pleaded guilty and appeared at court on Friday for sentencing, where he was jailed for seven years.

DC Lee Millard, the officer in the case, said: 'With the witnesses evidence we were able to secure a conviction for what was a vicious attack on a 56-year-old man.

'We'd like to thank all those who took the time to give us statements in this case. We are pleased with the sentence, which reflect the level of violence involved and the serious nature of the injuries sustained by the victim.'