Two women were attacked and beaten as they walked home after dark in a Kent village – because they "looked happy".

The aftermath of the assaults on November 24 saw a large police presence in Greatstone, near New Romney, and cars being stopped in the search for witnesses.

Police arrested 31-year-old electrician Alex Corbett, who admitted attacking the women, one of whom was just 17.

Prosecutor Gemma Webb told the court the attacks came while Corbett was driving round the area with bottles of alcohol, "mulling over his life".

Miss Webb said: “He said he saw the first female and she had appeared happy. He was angry she was happy when it was women that had made his life awful.

"He then saw a female [the second] on her phone laughing and he felt she was laughing at him and he wanted to punish her for that."

In his defence, Corbett’s solicitor, Charlotte Collett, told the court that Corbett’s marriage had broken down and his ex-wife was living in Australia with their children.

Corbett, of Littlestone Road, Littlestone, appeared at Folkestone magistrates on Tuesday, where he was sentenced to 120 days in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He will have to do 200 hours community payback, comply with supervision and alcohol treatment orders and pay £500 to each of his victims plus £60 costs.

• For more news from Ashford, Folkestone, Hythe and Tenterden visit kentishexpress.co.uk >>>