A teenager who viciously beat a man as he walked home from a night out has been jailed – as we warn that anyone committing violent offences risks being locked up.

Robin Foster repeatedly punched and kicked the man – who he bumped into just after midnight in a Sandwell street – and stamped on his head as he sought refuge in a petrol station forecourt.

Foster shouted “yo mate” to his victim and asked for a cigarette as he spotted him in Park Street, Oldbury, on 27 August last year. But seconds later, and without warning, the 19-year-old floored the stranger with a punch to the side of his head.

He was chased for almost a mile to the Shell garage in Churchbridge, where he pleaded for a cashier to call the police before Foster, then aged 18, continued his savage attack. The 34-year-old victim lost two teeth and suffered nasty cuts to his forehead; he was treated at the scene by paramedics while Foster ran away. 

Officers seized CCTV footage from the garage and released images in the hope someone would recognise the offender. It prompted a man to get in touch naming Foster and he was arrested on 4 October from his home in Roway Lane, Oldbury.

Clothing matching that worn by the attacker, including a distinctive Nike top, Calvin Klein body-warner and a chain shown on CCTV hanging from his jeans pocket, was found at the address. He was charged with wounding and at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 22 July he was jailed for seven years and four months having admitted the offence. Investigating officer, PC Andy Mimnagh, said:

“This was a brutal, shocking attack and from what we understand totally unprovoked. The victim had missed his bus so started walking home when Foster called out to him…seconds later he was under attack.

“The victim can be seen on the video curling up in a foetal position as he tried to defend himself. One customer at the petrol station thought they were play fighting before seeing blood pouring from the man’s nose and mouth.

“I wish the victim well for the future and hopefully, when Foster is eventually released, he will take advantage of help offered to him and create a brighter future.”