A MAN fell through a shop window and suffered serious wounds to his body when he was attacked in Ludlow town centre, a court heard.

Max Sidell was the victim of a 'nasty and unprovoked' assault during the Ludlow Food Festival.

He needed surgery on several 'gaping wounds' after crashing through the window in Broad Street in September last year.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday his attacker, 25-year-old Ryan Davies, was jailed for 15 months.

Davies, of St Johns Crescent, Craven Arms, had admitted charges of causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Judge Jonathan Gosling said that Mr Sidell had been attacked when he had tried to control the defendant's 'yobbish behaviour' towards his girlfriend.

He said that he had seen the graphic pictures of the gaping wounds that were inflicted on Mr Sidell's torso and which had left permanent scars.

"It was a cowardly act and you did not help the injured victim, but ran off. You were drunk, under the effects of drugs and were looking for trouble," he said.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Sidell said he was still in pain and discomfort and after the attack had not wanted to go out in Ludlow, even though it was his home town.

He said the scars were a permanent reminder of the incident and he had been unable to work for several weeks and lost more than £3,000 in wages.

The court heard the assault on Mr Sidell happened in Broad Street on September 10. He and his girlfriend had been enjoying some food when the defendant appeared.

Mr John Oates, prosecuting, said Davies had been aggressive and was shouting abuse at Mr Sidell's girlfriend.

He said that it appeared Davies was 'desperate for a fight' and rained numerous blows on the victim who was unable to respond.

"As the assault continued Mr Sidell went through Bodenham's shop window and was badly injured," he said.

The court heard Davies was convicted last year for possession of cocaine, being drunk and disorderly and obstructing police.

Mr Brendan Reedy, for Davies, said his client had not intended to cause such serious injury but accepted it was the result of a sustained assault.

He said Davies had previously had a good work record as a bricklayer, factory worker and a driver, but had lost employment and was on a downward spiral when he started drinking and dabbling in drugs.

Mr Reedy said that Davies had been 'horrified' when he saw what he had done and had immediately stopped the assault and left the scene.