A THUG hit a pizza delivery man on the head with a metal bar when he arrived with his order, a court heard.

Edward Coleman paid the driver £10 when he delivered the pizza to his girlfriend's house in Bulwell.

But then his balaclava-clad accomplice, Aiden Leonardi, came up behind the man and attacked him.

The pair then chased him to his car and he drove off.

Earlier the same night the duo stole a £125 computer monitor from a different pizza outlet in Bulwell and threw leaflets at a worker before ordering the pizza delivery, Nottingham Crown Court was told.

Both admitted theft and assault causing actual bodily harm. Each was ordered to pay the driver £250 compensation. The driver was cut on the side of his head.

"Goodness me, I don't know what got into you two," said Judge Dudley Bennett.

"You, Leonardi, haven't been in trouble before and you, Coleman, only once. What on earth drove you to this behaviour I can't think...only drink muddling your thinking."

Roger Wilson, for 23-year-old Coleman, said his client was drunk.

"He said he was stupid and joined in by chasing the pizza delivery man away."

Since being in custody Coleman has gained qualifications in maths, English and information technology design.

Leonardi, 21, of Clayfield Close, Crabtree Farm Estate, Bulwell, had no previous convictions and was remorseful and ashamed about the incident, in February.

"He has been a hard-working individual all his life," said Adrian Langdale, in mitigation.

The judge said he did not see why the man who was hit should not be compensated.

Both were given nine-month jail sentences, suspended for two years, and curfews.

Coleman, of Leeming Lane South, Mansfield Woodhouse, will be supervised by the probation service for 18 months and must complete an alcohol treatment order.