TWO Redditch men who attacked another man on his own doorstep and chased him through the streets have avoided prison sentences.

One hit the victim on the head with a metal bar and the other punched him in the face before he ran away and they pursued him after a friendly evening turned to violence, Worcester Crown court heard.

The victim, John Sunter, was at home in Bushley Close, Redditch, on Friday, December 14 last year with his partner Rebecca Makin and their friend Katie Thomas. Miss Thomas' boyfriend Mark Tuckey arrived shortly after midnight and they chatted for a while, Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, told the court. But then he and Miss Thomas started to argue and the disturbance spilled onto the street.

Tuckey told her: "I'm going to have him, I'm going to knock him out," Mr Whitfield said. Mr Sunter and his partner went to bed but a few minutes later there was a knock at the door. Miss Makin answered it and saw Tuckey, aged 29, and 27-year-old Peter Thomas, his girlfriend's brother, who had joined in after Tuckey called him while he was at home watching a film.

Outside the house, Thomas hit Mr Sunter with a metal bar he had picked up outside and Tuckey punched him in the face. Mr Sunter ran into the street and they followed him but didn't catch him, Mr Whitfield said. Mr Sunter was not seriously injured.

Both Thomas, of Hunters Court, Lodge Park, Redditch and Tuckey, of Haseley Close, Redditch, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm. Thomas admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

The court was told Thomas showed remorse for the incident. He had a partner and a full time job with an interior decorating firm while Tuckey is still with Miss Thomas and worked for a loft conversion and insulation company.

Judge Toby Hooper, QC, said they had both been at risk of going to jail for a pre-meditated assault but they both had settled family lives in the community and were in full time work.

He gave Thomas a 26-week sentence suspended for 12 months with supervision and unpaid work of 120 hours. Tuckey was given a community order for 12 months with supervision and 100 hours unpaid work. Both will have to complete 10 sessions of a specified activity reduction of violence programme.