A CYCLIST who went to help a crying woman fleeing her violent boyfriend was himself attacked, a court heard.

Lewis Marsh, 22, stamped on his head and fractured his skull simply because he was trying to help his distressed girlfriend.

Marsh, of Baxter Close, Wisbech, attacked the 24-year-old victim after rowing with his own girlfriend at an address in West Street, shortly before 11pm on April 24, last year.

Marsh’s girlfriend had run out into the street crying following the argument, but when the passer-by came to her aid, Marsh attacked him.

He punched him to the ground before repeatedly stamping on his head and groin.

The victim suffered extensive facial injuries along with a fractured eye socket and spent more than a week at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Marsh, who had several previous convictions for assault, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and was jailed for four years at Cambridge Crown Court yesterday with an extended licence period of three years.

Detective Constable Hollie Daines, who led the investigation, said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack on a man who had come to the aid of a distressed woman.

“Such violence is not acceptable and today’s sentence should serve as a warning that anyone who commits such offences faces a considerable period of time behind bars.”