A DRUNKEN man was jailed after he punched his best friend 15 times and spat at him, a court heard.Lee Newell, 22, of Braziers Wood Road, Ipswich, was said to "rain blows" on his pal who was on the ground.

A DRUNKEN man was jailed after he punched his best friend 15 times and spat at him, a court heard.

Lee Newell, 22, of Braziers Wood Road, Ipswich, was said to "rain blows" on his pal who was on the ground.

He admitted threatening behaviour in the early hours of Saturday August 23 outside the YMCA in Ipswich.

A charge of racially aggravated threatening behaviour against the Spaniard was withdrawn.

Prosecutor Gareth Davies said the pair were boozing before the incident which left his mate with a bloodied face and a swollen nose.

Mr Davies said: "They started by pushing and shoving each other around and a fight developed which became quite vicious.

"Newell very much had the upper hand. The victim was on the ground and blows were being rained down on him.

"The victim put his hand up to try and stop the blows and was kicked several times. He was not fighting back."

He said a YMCA support worker estimated the victim was hit at least 15 times. He was also spat at.

Ian Persuad, mitigating, said the duo were "drinking and larking about" outside the YMCA.

"A remark was made – he can't remember what it was – which led to this altercation and fighting."

He said Newell did not accept 15 repeated blows or that he spat at the victim.

The court heard the two are the best of friends and the victim did not want to make a statement against his pal to police.

Magistrates fined Newell £25 after he admitted failure to turn up to court without reasonable excuse after he forgot the date.

He was jailed for eight weeks for threatening behaviour, but was free to go as he had already served his sentence on remand.