A MAN had to undergo reconstructive surgery to his face after he was the victim of a beating, a court heard yesterday.

His attackers, Leigh Cross, 26, of Westfield Terrace, Loftus, and Paul Hunt, 24, of Greystokes Walk, Redcar, east Cleveland, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Michael Bosomworth, prosecuting, said that Cross had begun the attack on July 31, last year, when he had gone to his girlfriend's house, where he claimed he found her being indecently assaulted by a 57-year-old man. Hunt joined in the attack.

Mr Bosomworth told the court that the victim suffered fractures to his ribs, jaw and cheek bone and had to undergo reconstructive surgery to his face.

Gillian Batt, for Cross, said he admitted throwing about five punches and kicking the victim in the groin.

He was not a violent person but had been inflamed at finding his girlfriend being indecently assaulted, she said.

Peter Johnson, for Hunt, said his client admitted joining in the attack.

Judge Michael Cartlidge sentenced Cross to 15 months in prison and said that while accepting that both men believed they had been provoked, they had left their victim with serious injuries.

He sentenced Hunt to serve 79 days remaining from a previous sentence and a further 21 months for the current charge.