SHOPPERS looked on in horror as a drunk savagely beat up a vagrant in Southampton city centre - because he was from Liverpool.

Shocked onlookers saw Lee Aitchison launch an unprovoked attack on traveller John Wild.

He landed a flurry of blows on Mr Wild's head and banged it repeatedly against iron railings.

Andy Houston, prosecuting at Southampton Crown Court, said the onslaught began when Aitchison, 24, grabbed the unsuspecting Mr Wild who was sitting on a bench.

Aitchison struck him with a clenched fist and hit his head against the bars - before staggering off down the road.

The defendant was clearly drunk and he was arrested, Mr Houston added. Aitchison told police he had picked on Mr Wild because he was a "Scouser".

Mr Houston said Aitchison had 25 previous convictions and at the time was on licence from Dartmoor prison where he had been serving three-and-a-half years for robbery.

Aitchison, of Albion Towers, Southampton, admitted affray and assault by beating.

Judge David Griffiths recalled him to prison for the outstanding 316 days of the robbery sentence, before telling him he must serve another six months on top.

He said: "You behaved in a disgraceful manner. Fortunately his injuries were not serious, no weapon was used and I accept you are sorry."

William Mousley, for Aitchison, said: "He was so heavily in drink he has no recollection of what happened. He was offered a drink by someone he knew and, as is so often the case, one drink became several."