A TEENAGER launched an unprovoked attack on a man in the street, saying: "He's disabled, he deserves everything he gets."

Gary Thurman was walking along Oxford Street, Ripley, with friends when three youths approached and one began pushing him.

Mr Thurman, 20, who has two hearing aids, tried to get away from drunken Ross Graham but was punched three times, Chesterfield magistrates heard.

"I was holding on to a fence and he hit me from behind and I was knocked to the ground. I kept trying to get up but he kept punching me in the face," Mr Thurman told police.

Peter Bettney, prosecuting, said a female witness told Graham to stop hitting him because he was disabled.

"The defendant said, 'He's disabled, he deserves everything he gets,' and continued hitting him," said Mr Bettney.

Jamie Rackham stood between them, only to be punched by Graham, causing a lump on his forehead.

Police were called and both victims were taken around Ripley by officers until they spotted Graham, 18.

Graham, of King William Street, Ironville, admitted the January 7 assault and was ordered to do 100 hours' unpaid work.

He must also pay £200 compensation to Mr Thurman and £100 to Mr Rackham, with £85 costs.

Magistrate Peter Greaves said: "You were made aware this was a vulnerable victim but you carried on this nasty assault."

Kevin Tomlinson, for Graham, said he had no memory of the attacks as he was drunk at the time, but he accepted what was alleged.

He said: "They were uncalled for and unprovoked assaults. He acknowledges the fact he was drunk is no excuse and he has expressed remorse. I'm not sure he was aware Mr Thurman had hearing aids, but it was clearly an unpleasant comment to make."