A MAN carried out a 'cowardly and unprovoked' attack when he kicked a man in the face as he lay on the pavement, breaking his cheekbone and his eye socket.

Kevin Bird, 23, has been convicted of kicking a city centre pavement sitter and causing him serious head injuries and now faces a 'substantial' prison sentence when he is sentenced early next year.

Justin McEvoy said he and a friend had stopped in Mealcheapen Street on May 16 while he rolled a cigarette when he was attacked by Kevin Bird.

He told Worcester Crown Court that the blow on his head fractured a cheekbone and an eye socket.

Bird, of Byfield Rise, Worcester, who had denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was remanded in custody for sentence.

After hearing Bird's previous convictions dating back to 2002 when he was a juvenile, Judge Abbas Mithani QC ordered pre-sentence and psychological reports.

Prosecutor Walter Bealby said Bird had been in trouble for battery, shoplifting, drug possession, threatening behaviour, arson and burglary.

Bird, who had been in a group of people seen on CCTV walking past Mr McEvoy, denied that he had struck the blow which caused the injury.

The judge said he wanted a report on how dangerous Bird was to the public. And he warned that he would be imposing a substantial sentence of custody.

After the verdict, PC Alex Denny, who was in charge of the case, said he was pleased with the outcome. He felt that the pubic should be assured of the support from local police, who were committed to stamping out street violence. Robust action would be taken to bring offenders to justice. Sentencing is expected to take place in January or February.

He said after the hearing: "This individual committed an unprovoked, violent and cowardly crime against a vulnerable individual.  The people of Worcester can now be reassured as he is now in custody."