A MAN who led an attack on New Year’s Eve revellers, leaving one of them in a freezing river, has been jailed for his “pure loutish behaviour”.

Peter Brown led a gang of three in an attack on Leanne Simmons and Matthew Carter as they made their way home from the Cross Keys pub, in Abingdon, at 2am on New Year’s Day last year, a judge heard.

Louise Collins, 20, of Stockham Park, Wantage, has already been given a six-month supervision order after admitting causing actual bodily harm to Miss Simmons.

Curtis Boyce, 24, of Champion Way, Littlemore, Oxford, admitted the same offence and actual bodily harm on Mr Carter but failed to attend court earlier this month. A warrant is out for his arrest.

Brown admitted two charges of actual bodily harm and was jailed for two years.

Naomi Perry, prosecuting, said the two victims were walking beside the River Ock when the trio “started calling out abuse, to which Mr Carter commented ‘Happy New Year to you, too’”.

She added: “Mr Carter had the impression the other group was looking for a fight.

“Louise Collins squared up to Leanne Simmons, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her down to the floor.”

Miss Perry said Mr Carter tried to protect her but Boyce and Brown “got in on the act and blows were exchanged”.

After a brief pause, the attack resumed when Brown spat in Miss Simmons’ face and she spat back, Miss Perry said. Brown and Boyce then punched and kicked her before attacking Mr Carter, leading him to fall into the river, the court heard.

Brown, of Saxton Road, Abingdon, was due to be sentenced at the court earlier this month but drank half a litre of vodka during a cigarette break and had to be treated.

Judge Mary Jane Mowat said: “This was a group attack. The more violent offenders being yourself and the absent Mr Boyce... This was pure loutish behaviour.”