A drunk booted a woman in the face at a barbecue before going on to grope another woman, a Swindon court heard.

Anthony Mead has now been jailed for 20 months after he admitted sexual assault, actual bodily harm and two batteries.

Swindon Crown Court heard the 44-year-old had turned up uninvited to a barbecue in Trowbridge on July 23 last year.

Prosecutor Mary Cowe said Mead had asked one of the women if she had any cannabis. He went on to grab the other woman and asked for a cuddle.

He lost his temper and grabbed his bag as if to leave. But before he went, he turned and kicked the woman hard to the head, leaving her with a black eye. Ms Cowe said: “It’s described as him booting her in the face.”

The woman tried to get up but was pushed into a fence by Mead, who went onto throw punches at her – although none of the swings connected.

His victim fled to the house. He followed her and tried to punch her again, but the woman’s female friend stepped in and was struck in the arm.

Mead turned on the second woman, who had just taken the blow to her arm, telling her he loved her and groping her bottom. Ms Cowe said: “She said ‘what are you doing?’ and tried to fend him off.”

The drunken brute turned his attentions on a third woman, who had just arrived at the house and witnessed the sexual assault. He punched her in the back of the head, leaving her with a lump. The woman threw a glass towards Mead in an attempt to defend herself.

Police arrived to arrest the man. In interview, he claimed he had been struck with a glass bottle in an unprovoked attack.

After initially denying the offences, Mead, formerly of Barnard Place, Salisbury, but appearing before the court via video link from Hewell Prison, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to sexual assault, ABH and two counts of assault by beating.

The court heard he had 47 convictions for 158 offences on his record. Last year he was jailed for 12 months for threatening to kill a shop worker after she refused to sell him alcohol.

Defending, Tony Bignall said it was obvious his client had a problem with alcohol. “He’s a man at least who likes to work and feels most comfortable when he’s working. But he recognises he needs this help.” He had had time on remand to reflect, the advocate added.

Sending Mead down for 20 months, Judge Jason Taylor QC said: “It is clear that your actions have had an affect [on your victims] and they are not insignificant affects.”

A seven year restraining order prevents him from contacting the victim of the sexual assault. He must register as a sex offender.