A THUG donned boxing gloves and attacked a man in a York street as his victim’s daughter watched in horror.

John Brough aimed the blows at the back of Russell Magson’s head and was then given a false alibi by a friend – but CCTV footage revealed the pair had lied.

Brough, 23, of Heritage House, Monument Close, was among a group of five men standing outside the Co-operative store in Acomb when Mr Magson and his daughter, Cara, were returning to their home.

York Crown Court heard Brough pulled a pair of boxing gloves from a JJB Sports carrier bag and strapped them on. When Mr Magson asked him what he was doing, he indicated he was going to harm Cara.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Mr Magson warned Brough off and carried on walking, but as he reached his home, with Cara having gone inside, he felt a blow to the back of his head. He felt a second jab and was then kicked in the back.

Brough was arrested later that day but claimed he had been at the home of his friend Damien Dickinson, 18, of Lindsey Avenue, Acomb, at the time. Dickinson backed up his story and said he and Brough had been watching football when the attack happened.

However, CCTV footage at the store showed Brough had been there at the time of the assault.

Brough admitted causing actual bodily harm and was given a 30-week jail sentence, suspended for a year, and a 12-month supervision order, as well as being ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. Dickinson admitted perverting the course of justice and a charge of resisting arrest.

He was also told to do 120 hours’ unpaid work.