A 22-YEAR-OLD Brierley Hill thug has been jailed for three years after repeatedly punching a firefighter in the face with a metal dog chain wrapped round his fist.

Firefighter Mark Wiggins was riding his motorcycle on his way to work along Amblecote Road when a pint glass was thrown at his machine as he passed the Corn Exchange pub, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Mr Wiggins went to speak to Joshua Whittall and was then punched “without provocation” in the face.

Whittall then wrapped the dog lead around his fist and struck the fireman numerous times causing a cut under his eye that bled profusely - David Lees, prosecuting, said.

Police were alerted and Whittall, who had downed 12 pints, tried to run - but the fireman grabbed him and hung on until police arrived.

Mr Lees said at the time Whittall had been on bail following an earlier incident in which he tried to stab a police officer with a kitchen knife while “stoned” on cannabis.

Officers had been called to Hill Street, Brierley Hill, after someone was seen with a knife and when Whittall became aggressive when told he had to be searched.

He then began to struggle before pulling the kitchen knife from his pocket and making a stabbing motion towards one officer who managed to evade the blow.

Whittall, of The Promenade, admitted possessing an offensive weapon, affray and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Lees told the court Whittall had 24 previous convictions on his record for offences including arson, possessing an imitation firearm, robbery and battery.

Simon Hanns, defending, said Whittall had little recollection of either incident and he was full of remorse for his actions.

He said it was clear he had an alcohol problem, adding: ”He knows he had to get rid of it if he is not to trouble the courts again in the future.”

Judge Nicholas Webb told Whittall: “You are prepared to carry items that can be used for violence and you are prepared to use them aggressively."

He said Mr Wiggins had been an innocent user of the highway when the pint glass was thrown which he said was a “very dangerous thing to do".

The assault that followed on the firefighter was “vicious and unprovoked" - the judge added.