Twin brothers who kicked a passer-by in the face are expected to be jailed next month.

Magistrates told Colin and Maurice Duckworth last week that the Crown Court, which has more power, should decide their fate not them.

The 32-year-old Duckworths had attacked the man as he walked along Princess Street after a night out with friends in Knutsford.

"He is now scared to go out again," Keith Jones, prosecuting, told the court.

The unnamed man was left with severe cuts and bruises.

In court Mr Jones described it as an horrific assault.

"It doesn't appear there had been any contact between the men during the course of the evening," he said.

"This was just out of the blue."

Swearing

Colin Duckworth, of Warren Avenue, and his brother Maurice, who lives in Manchester, were arrested after another passerby alerted police.

During questioning the brothers became aggressive and abusive, shouting and swearing at the two officers who eventually used CS gas to calm down both men.

Last week CCTV footage of the incident on December 1 was shown to the court.

.John Gallagher, defending Colin Duckworth, said his client wanted to apologise.

"He is utterly remorseful," he said.

Magistrates, though, ignored pleas for the Duckworths to be sentenced by them.

Instead a Chester Crown Court judge will determine their fate on June 27.