A Dereham man was told he could face jail for beating a man unconscious in a prolonged attack while children were in the house.Craig Brown, 30, of Malthouse Court, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Neil Guymer and assault by beating on Janice Blows.

A Dereham man was told he could face jail for beating a man unconscious in a prolonged attack while children were in the house.

Craig Brown, 30, of Malthouse Court, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Neil Guymer and assault by beating on Janice Blows.

The court heard that Brown had launched the attack on May 27 this year when he had visited the home of Miss Blows, his ex-partner of 10 years, and Mr Guymer, 37.

Dorothy Pulsford-Harris, prosecuting, said that Brown had turned up at about 10.30pm at the flat where the couple were with Brown and Ms Blow's six-year-old son.

“There was a knock on the door and the defendant pushed Mr Guymer against the wall by his throat.”

She said he was abusive then went into the flat uninvited before throwing Mr Guymer against the kitchen table, causing him to fall on the ground where he was repeatedly punched and kicked by Brown.

Mr Guymer passed out during the attack that Miss Blows estimated lasted for about 30 minutes, the court heard.

Alison McManus, defending, said that Brown had admitted the attack after his arrest and had no previous convictions, only a caution for drunk and disorderly behaviour in 2004

She said Brown had been drunk at the time and had been provoked by malicious text messages he had been receiving from the couple.

Chairman of the bench Margaret Oechsle said: “We feel this is so serious you may go to custody. It was an attack that took 30 minutes and it was really very unpleasant.”

Brown was released on unconditional bail and will appear at Swaffham Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 25.