A MAN used a sock filled with gravel as a weapon in an unprovoked attack on a stranger, Southampton Crown Court was told.

Louis Lake was so drunk he said he had found the weapon in the street although he was arrested wearing only one sock.

The court heard how the unemployed 25-year-old had swung the weapon at a man who was making his way home along Bedford Place from a night out in Southampton Prosecutor Barnaby Shaw explained how the weapon had hit victim on the back of his head causing a golf ball sized lump.

The attack was witnessed by a police officer who arrested Lake who was later charged with common assault and having an offensive weapon which he admitted.

Mitigating Sue Ridge said he was deeply ashamed of the incident and had no recollection of events because he was so drunk, which was the cause of his offending for which he was seeking help.

Lake, of Arthur Road, Southampton, was given a three month suspended sentence suspended for a year, a supervision order and 180 hours' unpaid work.