A MAN has been spared jail after a "disgusting" and "cowardly" unprovoked attack on a woman in the street.

Stuart Davies, of no fixed abode, appeared for sentence at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 44-year-old had previously admitted one offence of assault by beating.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on January 10 the victim, Sian Maxwell, parked her vehicle at the Tesco Car Park in Wrexham city centre.

She walked along Charles Street, where she spotted two males "loitering," one of whom shouted.

The defendant cycled past shortly after, looking right at her and saying: "That one there with the bobble hat," referring to her.

As Ms Maxwell carried on walking, Davies turned around on his bike and approached her from behind.

The victim felt "an immense force" to her lower back which caused her to fall face first onto the pavement as her knees buckled.

Davies' actions had been captured on CCTV, which was played to the court.

He'd cycled up behind the victim and kicked her to the back with a shoed foot, in what Mr Espie deemed a "cowardly" unprovoked attack.

Ms Maxwell had to attend the minor injuries unit and her doctor on a number of occasions following the assault.

Melissa Griffiths, defending, told the court: "It is a disgusting incident. Absolutely disgusting.

"It is nasty and he makes no excuse whatsoever."

Ms Griffiths said her client had mistakenly believed the victim to be someone else he'd had an altercation with.

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She continued: "He didn't watch the CCTV because he didn't want to see himself behaving in such a horrible manner.

"This is a man who has had something of a troubled life.

"He has self medicated from a young age with drugs.

"On occasions he is able to get to grips with that demon and keep it under control.

The Leader:

"He desperately wants to work with probation."

The court handed down an eight week custodial sentence, but suspended it for 18 months.

As well as paying £200 compensation to the victim, the defendant must undertake 25 days of rehabilitation activity.