AN alcoholic who admitted attacking a friend in a row over pizza has been jailed for three months.

Kenneth Grounsell, 43, pleaded guilty to assaulting Geoffrey Watty after he moved into Mr Watty's home in Coleman Street, Southend.

Southend Magistrates' Court was told both men were heavy drinkers, but on January 7, in the early evening, Grounsell grabbed Mr Watty round the neck and punched him four times in the face in an unprovoked attack.

Mr Watty was left with a small cut under his left eye, and swelling and bruising to his right eye.

The next day, Grounsell cooked a pizza and was allowing it to cool when Mr Watty ate it.

As the pair argued, Grounsell grabbed a large slice of pizza and stuffed it into Mr Watty's mouth, causing him to start choking.

Grounsell then poked his finger in Mr Watty's injured right eye and punched the back of his head up to ten times.

Simon Samuels, mitigating, said Grounsell was grateful to Mr Watty for giving him somewhere to stay after his relationship of 13 years ended. He added: "It really was the drink, and drink alone, which led to his behaviour."

The court was told in the past two weeks Grounsell had attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and been to the Jobcentre.

District Judge Kevin Gray said as Grounsell had previous convictions for violence and carried out the attacks in the victim's home, he had to impose a custodial sentence.

Grounsell will serve three months imprisonment for both offences.