A drunken man who carried out a vicious unprovoked street attack on a female friend was told in court: "Never ever repeat that behaviour towards anyone."

Mitchell Jay Robinson, 22, received the stark warning when he appeared in front of District Judge Gerald Chalk.

Robinson's crime had been to turn on Hannah Carthy and repeatedly kick her as she lay on the ground in Carlisle city centre.

Police who arrived to deal with the violence saw him lashing out at Miss Carthy.

That behaviour led to Robinson being charged with an assault which he admitted at Carlisle Magistrates' Court.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said Robinson and Miss Carthy met through an online dating website. They were said to have been in a relationship for several weeks before she met someone else.

But they remained friends and on April 14 were having drinks in Carlisle. In the early hours of the following morning in English Street, something was said and Miss Carthy walked away.

Robinson followed. "He started to kick her. She was on the ground and he was kicking her to the left leg and her back," said Mrs Fee.

Miss Carthy got away and called 999 but Robinson pounced for a second time. "He pinned her up against a window and again started kicking her to the legs," Mrs Fee told the court.

"She was crouched against the window. He was still kicking her when the police arrived," added Mrs Fee.

Officers restrained Robinson to halt his attack.

Miss Carthy was left upset and with tenderness to her back and upper leg.

She told police the pair had remained on amicable terms after she told him she did not want a relationship.

Describing the attack, she stated: "There was no reason for it. I don't want anything to do with Mitchell from now on and there is no chance of the friendship continuing."

Robinson, a man of previous good character, was interviewed by police. He confessed to remembering nothing of the attack having been drinking since 1pm.

Sara Budniak, defending, said: "My client takes full responsibility for his actions on this occasion. He has considerable remorse.

"He is absolutely disgusted with himself that he has acted in this way towards a friend."

Robinson, of Watermans Walk, Carlisle, was told by District Judge Chalk that he would be spared prison due to his lack of previous convictions.

Instead he was ordered to carry out 180 hours' unpaid work and must pay court costs.