A MAN assaulted one of Huddersfield’s worst offenders after he interrupted his night out with friends, a court heard.

Harvey Singleton, 24, admitted to kicking and punching Clinford Joseph as he lay on the ground.

Kirklees magistrates heard that Singleton over-reacted when Mr Joseph swore and swung a punch at him when he tried to ignore him.

Andy Wills, prosecuting, said that on the evening of September 7 Singleton had been out drinking in Holmfirth and then Huddersfield with his friends.

At 3am the group were walking along Cross Church Street when they were approached by Mr Joseph, who lives nearby at Lonsbrough Flats in Southgate.

Mr Wills said: “Mr Joseph walked towards them and there was an exchange of words.

“He then threw a right-handed punch which connected with Mr Singleton and both of them fell to the floor grappling with each other.

“Mr Singleton stood over Mr Joseph and he used his right foot to kick his body.”

Magistrates heard that Singleton, of Manchester Road in Linthwaite, punched and kicked Mr Joseph several times while he was still on the ground.

The assault was witnessed by a passer-by who restrained Singleton and police attended to arrest both men.

Mr Wills said that the fight was also seen by staff operating the town’s CCTV equipment.

He said: “Mr Joseph instigated the punch but Mr Singleton went past the point of self-defence by punching and kicking Mr Joseph when he was on the ground.”

Singleton admitted to police that he was drunk at the time and that as the 31-year-old had hurt him he’d wanted to hurt him back.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour.

In mitigation Eleese Hatton pointed out that Joseph – who has 280 offences to his name – was no stranger to the court.

She said: “He has a considerable record and is subject to an Asbo.

“It was Mr Joseph that approached Mr Singleton as he was out with his friends and some obscenities were said to him by Mr Joseph.

“He ignored this but Mr Joseph then swung at him a couple of times and grabbed Mr Singleton’s shirt which has then been ripped.

“This isn’t somebody who’s out every night causing trouble in the town centre.

“Mr Singleton avoids the town centre because of incidents like this and unfortunately he’s got himself involved.

“He has acted beyond self-defence but there was a great deal of provocation in this matter.”

Magistrates gave Singleton a conditional discharge for 12 months.

They told him to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

Joseph is due to stand trial for charges connected to the offence.

He denies threatening behaviour and breaching his anti-social behaviour order and his trial will take place on November 18.