A NORTHWICH man has been jailed after carrying out a 'serious and unprovoked' attack on another man.

Daryl Cobain, of Princes Avenue, was taken into custody after assaulting another man in Chester on April 6 earlier this year.

Appearing at Chester Magistrates' Court on May 12, the 46-year-old pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

He also admitted stealing £6 worth of meat and confectionary from a Chester Sainsbury's on the same day as his assault.

Cobain returned to court on July 11 where magistrates sentenced him to eight weeks in prison.

Despite taking his guilty pleas into account, the bench indicated only a custodial sentence could be justified due to the seriousness of the offence.

The assault was described as 'an unprovoked attack of a serious nature'.

Cobain was also ordered to pay £250 in compensation but no separate penalty was imposed for the shoplifting offence.