TWO thugs who could have killed a man in drink-fuelled street violence have been jailed.

Aaron Jay Campy, 32, Paul Leslie Dobbin, 35, and a 14-year-old boy punched and kicked Michael Gath until he was unconscious on the ground, said Matthew Bean, prosecuting at York Crown Court.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stripped Mr Gath's Nike trainers off him and also ran off with his jewellery, house keys and leather wallet, which contained £50.

"You three took part in a violent drunken incident which could have had fatal consequences," the Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, told them.

"The victim lost consciousness. Fortunately he sustained no long-term injuries, but he did sustain significant injuries."

He jailed Campy, of Dane Avenue, Acomb, and Dobbin, formerly of Bramham Grove, Chapelfields, for two years each. Both admitted causing actual bodily harm.

The boy, from Acomb, admitted robbery, but could not be jailed because he was 14 at the time. He was given a two-year supervision order with 90 days' educational activities and a three-month curfew.

The judge called him a "persistent truant" and criticised the lack of support he got from his parents.

Mr Bean said Mr Gath had been drinking in the Pack Of Cards pub in Lindsey Avenue, Acomb, on September 24. As he left he encountered the trio. Campy argued with him, pushed him to the ground and stamped on his head, without injuring him.

Shortly afterwards, as he was walking home alone, the three approached him and attacked him. Dobbin denied kicking him. Mr Gath suffered swelling and bruising to his head, but no broken bones.

Police later found some of the stolen property in the boy's bedroom, and he led them to other items at an address in Beckfield Lane.

Chris Smith, Campy's lawyer, said his client had acted out of character, though he had previous convictions for dishonesty. He was horrified by what he had done. He had learning difficulties exacerbated by a brain injury suffered when another man attacked him with a crowbar and put him in a coma for four months.

For the 14-year-old, Diane Nixon said he lacked thinking skills, but belonged to a close-knit family.

For Dobbin, Andrew Semple said he did not go looking for trouble and had handed himself in to the police. He had been drinking at the time because he had problems with his long-term girlfriend.