A MAN who was punched to the ground and kicked in the head in a late-night attack has told a court of the injuries he suffered.

Richard O’Rourke had been drinking in Bicester when he was attacked in Market Square, a jury at Oxford Crown Court heard today.

He suffered a fractured cheek, fractured bones around his eye and needed surgery to insert a metal plate with four screws into his face.

Stephen Brown, 25, of Leach Road, Bicester, and David Lambrianou, 22, of Avocet Way, Bicester, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent and an alternative charge of causing GBH.

Mr O’Rourke, who was 35 at the time of the incident at 11.30pm on November 29, 2007, told the court he could not identify his attackers.

He said he had gone out alone at 5pm and had drunk about four pints and two bottles of Budweiser.

He got into a “verbal confrontation” with two middle-aged men he knew as Andy and John in the White Hart in Sheep Street before heading to G’s Bar in Market Square, the jury heard.

Mr O’Rourke said he then left the pub to go to a burger van.

But he said that as he passed Wadleys electrical shop, he was struck on the back of the head, then hit on the left side of his face, which forced him to the pavement.

He added: “I remember the first kick to the face and I was knocked out after that.

“On a pain scale of 10, it was 10 of 10.

“I still suffer with pain now.”

G’s Bar owner George Smith told the trial he followed three men who had been refused entry to his venue and saw two of them, who he identified as the defendants, attack Mr O’Rourke.

After Mr Smith dialled 999, Brown and Lambrianou were arrested in a taxi by the Market Square, the jury was told.

The trial continues.