A 25-YEAR-OLD Tetbury man who bizarrely attacked a man and stole the brand new trainers off his feet has been sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work.

Wayne Merchant was walking in Hampton Street, Tetbury, with a friend on January 19 this year when a 4x4 car drew up alongside them and James Gray got out.

Lisa Hennessy, prosecuting, told Gloucester Crown Court that Gray walked over to Mr Merchant and punched him.

Mr Merchant fell to the ground before Gray kneed him twice in the head.

"He could hear Gray shouting at him about selling one of his vans," said Mrs Hennessy. "Mr Marchant had no idea what he was talking about.

"Gray then pulled off his left trainer and shouted 'give me your other f***ing shoe.' He took both trainers and walked back to the car.

"The trainers were Mr Merchant's present from his girlfriend and he had only had them a day. They had cost her £44.99.

"A witness saw Mr Merchant's face covered in blood, which was pouring off him as he made his way up the road. The driver of the car, who was an older man, then shouted at him that he was not finished. The car drove off."

When Gray was later arrested, after being picked out by Mr Merchant on an identity procedure, he refused to make any comment.

Gray, of New Church Street, Tetbury, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Merchant, causing him actual bodily harm and theft of the trainers.

Judge William Hart sentenced him to a 12 months community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and also ordered Gray to pay his victim £150 compensation.