TWO thugs left a man needing metal plates in his face after a vicious attack in Colchester’s High Street.

Kian Rulten and Stevie Catney started throwing food at Lewis Smith outside McDonald’s before they headbutted and punched him.

Rulten, 19, of Charles Pell Road, Colchester, was heard complaining Mr Smith’s blood had ended up on his T-shirt.

Mr Smith, 21, a bar manager, received treatment in hospital for a broken cheekbone and a fractured eye socket and had two metal plates inserted.

Rulten and Catney, 19, of Prince Charles Road, Colchester, were both locked up for nine months when they appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.

Recorder Rex Bryan described their behaviour as thuggish. He said: “This was an unpleasant late night attack that left your victim needing two metal plates.”

The court heard how Mr Smith had been enjoying an evening out with friends on July 27.

He had gone to McDonald’s, in High Street, and an argument started with Rulten and Catney over an earlier incident.

Charlotte Davison, prosecuting, told the court Mr Smith walked off, but was followed by the pair who started throwing food at him.

Moments later, Catney headbutted Mr Smith and Rulten punched him.

They admitted a causing grievous bodily harm and were sent to a young offenders’ institution for nine months.

Lawyers for the two said they were sorry and expressed genuine remorse.