Removal man hit brother

Stephen Denham, 43, of Meadows View, Ninfield, left his brother needing stitches above his left eye, across his nose and missing a front tooth.

Hastings Magistrates Court heard Denham subjected his brother to 'a vicious and sustained attack' without any warning and for no apparent reason.

Denham's brother told police that Denham had suddenly lunged at him, hitting him in the face with his fist.

Prosecuting David O'Driscoll said: "Somebody else intervened and pulled Denham off his brother.

"He then left the property but returned not long after.

"His brother described hearing a window smash and seeing his brother in the kitchen."

Denham hit his brother again in the face, his brother thought it was with a stone as it felt harder than a fist.

His mother later found two stones on the floor of the property.

Denham, who has a history of related offending, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm but denied hitting his brother with a stone.

He was released on conditional bail while awaiting sentencing at Lewes Crown Court.

Denham must not contact prosecution witnesses in the interim.