A DRUNKEN youth was captured on camera savagely punching and kicking a teenager in a graphic display of youth street violence.

Ryan Roberts, 18, sobbed as a judge said imprisonment was the only punishment for his violent behaviour.

The images played to Oxford Crown Court showed the teenager punching a 17-year-old boy and knocking him unconscious.

Recorder Joanna Greenberg said as she sentenced Roberts at Oxford Crown Court: "Pictures speak a thousand words. Your behaviour, hitting, kicking your victim, shows graphically this was extremely violent behaviour.

"There is no alternative than an immediate prison sentence."

Roberts, of St Annes Court, Didcot, sobbed before being led away to start a four-month stint in a youth detention centre.

Lucy Tapper, prosecuting, told the court Roberts was drinking with friends in The Queen's Arms, in Didcot, in September. He was then given a lift to the Shell garage in The Broadway.

Two teenagers asked for a lift but Roberts stepped out and shoved one of them in the chest. He was then seen on the garage's security camera launching an attack.

Miss Tapper said his victim fell down and appeared to be unconscious. She added: "Mr Roberts takes a swing with his foot and kicks him in the face."

Roberts had previous convictions for burglary, theft, assault and criminal damage, Miss Tapper added.

The teenager suffered a swollen eye, needed stitches in his lip and a tooth was chipped.

Addressing the court, Roberts said: "I apologise for what I've done to the victim, myself and my family and everything I have put them through. I promise I won't be here again."

Roberts admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Brenda Campbell, defending, told the court Roberts had deep-seated emotional problems.

She added: "Since this incident, Mr Roberts has taken stock of his life and wants to try to understand why, when he goes drinking, he cannot control his anger."