A scaffolder was drunk and high on cocaine when he kicked a woman in the back and launched a tirade of homophobic abuse.

James Whittam avoided a prison sentence after his defence counsel spoke of his shame and remorse for the attack.

He was electronically tagged and told to take an anger management course.

The 28-year-old admitted insulting, abusive or threatening behaviour, possession of a bladed article, assault by beating and possession of a class A drug.

On Friday October 27 last year Whittam drank six pints of strong Stella Artois, had four shots of Sambuca and took half a gramme of cocaine, the court heard.

He approached lesbian couple Sarah Lavis and Rachel Moorey in London Road in Brighton at 11pm.

They were looking through some records left outside a charity shop.

He told Miss Moorey: "If you don't leave them alone I'm going to batter you."

He kicked Miss Lavis in the back, and called the couple obscenities including "dirty lesbians".

Tetteh Turkson, prosecuting, said the homophobic comments were an "aggravating feature", but the attack was not motivated by homophobia.

After Miss Moorey confronted him, Whittam told the pair: "If I had a knife I'd stab you."

He had a lock-knife in his pocket, which he later told police he carried for work.

Defence counsel Ahmed Hossain told the court: "He is ashamed of his behaviour on that day.

"He does show due remorse for the way he acted.

"He understands he will be punished for his unacceptable behaviour."

Whittam, of Westbourne Villas in Hove, was sentenced to 210 hours unpaid work in the community and given a three-month curfew order to stay in his house between 9.45pm and 6.30am every day.

He must attend an anger replacement training programme, involving 18 two-hour sessions teaching moral reasoning, social skills and anger management.

He must also keep appointments with the probation service for 18 months.

He was told to pay £150 compensation to Miss Lavis and £600 prosecution costs.