A PAIR of young thugs have been jailed for a brutal attack in Newton Abbot on a late-night drinker whose face was shattered by repeated kicks and stamps.

Kai Webb and Lewis Botfield knocked out victim Matthew Capel in the service area behind the Golden Lion pub in Newton Abbot and then piled into him as he lay motionless on the ground.

They were caught on CCTV aiming kicks and stamps at his head during a 13 second spree of violence which only ended when friends came to his rescue. 

He was left permanently scarred from multiple fractures of his cheekbones, nose and eye sockets, had four weeks off work, and his vision and facial appearance have been permanently affected. 

The attack followed an exchange of words between two groups who were out drinking on July 21, 2021, shortly after the end of the third Covid lockdown. 

The two attackers originally faced the serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but at jury at Exeter Crown Court were unable to agree on a verdict and the prosecution chose not to have a retrial after consulting with the victim.

Webb, 27, of Sidmouth, and Botfield, 26, of Drum Way, Heathfield, both admitted the lesser offence of causing grievous bodily harm at an earlier hearing.

Webb also admitted possession of a knife in Newton Abbot on September 8, 2021 and causing actual bodily harm to a woman in Sidmouth on May 3, 2022. He was jailed for three years and seven months and Botfield for 15 months by Judge Stephen Climie at Exeter Crown Court. 

He told them: ‘This assault happened when entirely innocent members of the public were out trying to enjoy themselves after the pandemic. 

‘Violence of this nature in the street is completely unwarranted and must be met with immediate imprisonment.’ 

Miss Emily Cook, prosecuting, said Mr Capel was punched by Webb and fell to the ground near the back of the Ridgways Alley and was then kicked in the head by both attackers.

Mr Capel had been out with a group of friends and had encountered Botfield and Webb, who were both drunk, near the Golden Lion. 

One of Mr Capel’s group took Webb’s rucksack because he had mentioned a knife and feared he was armed.

This led to a running confrontation between Mr Capel’s group and the two men at around 11.20 pm which culminated in the attack. 

Miss Cook said Webb was arrested with a knife a few weeks later and in May 2022 he became involved in a violent incident in Sidmouth. 

Mr Lee Bremridge, for Webb, said he accepts a jail sentence is inevitable and has been doing well in prison while on remand. He is a trained chef who hopes to find work and accommodation when released. 

Miss Mary McCarthy, for Botfield, said he had not initiated the attack and could not be said to be prolonged or persistent. 

He is completely ashamed and has deep regret that his family had to watch the CCTV while supporting him in the public gallery.