FELIXSTOWE youths have today begun jail sentences for beating up a former friend.Drunken Stuart Paine punched his friend Byron McGinley who fell down a flight of stairs before Paine punched him again.

FELIXSTOWE youths have today begun jail sentences for beating up a former friend.

Drunken Stuart Paine punched his friend Byron McGinley who fell down a flight of stairs before Paine punched him again.

Mr McGinley fled to a car park where he was kicked on the ground by Oliver Rich and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Paine, 19, pleaded guilty to causing an affray and was sent to a young offenders institute for four months.

Rich, 18, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and was sentenced to eight months.

On December 14 last year Mr McGinley had been visiting his girlfriend at her flat in Langley Close, when the incident began, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Both defendants also both live at addresses in Langley Close.

Lindsay Cox, mitigating said Mr McGinley had a disagreement with Rich, who head butted him twice, at the girlfriend's address.

McGinley fought back but then walked away towards steps leading to the ground floor where he met Paine.

Mr McGinley was taken to hospital after the attack suffering from a broken finger and severe bruising.

The court heard that Rich, who has a record for violence, had also been drinking a "significant" amount of alcohol and what started as a small disagreement had been exaggerated.

Paine had "expressed his remorse" at attacking his friend. He admitted he had a drink problem which had also resulted in being convicted for being drunk and disorderly this year.

Judge John Devaux described the attack on Mr McGinley as a "disgraceful incident". He added: "In each case custody is justified."

The 17-year-old was sentenced to a combination order at South East Suffolk's Magistrates Court.