THREE teenagers have been sent to prison after a drink-fuelled "vicious and unprovoked" attack on a homeless man.

Horrific CCTV footage of the attack in Regent Street was shown yesterday at Swindon Crown Court, as the three were all jailed.

James Tyrell, 18, and two youths, aged 16 and 17 who cannot be named for legal reasons, last month admitted causing actual bodily harm to a 48-year-old homeless man in the drunken attack in February.

Yesterday the 16-year-old was sentenced to an eight-month detention and training order, with a four-month sentence for the theft of a pen and tissues during the same incident to run at the same time.

The 17-year-old, who will be 18 next Sunday, was sentenced to a six-month detention and training order, while Tyrell of Rettingham Way, Kingsdown, was sent to a young offenders' institute for six months.

Tyrell, who sports a black tattoo of a cross on his neck, was said to have been a member of the Salvation Army in his childhood, the court heard.

Defending him Claire Marlow said: "This was completely out of character and looking at the family background, it is one of involvement from an early age in the Salvation Army.

"The entire family had to move because of bullying.

"He lost his way due to the very sudden illness and death of his father.

"His faith was shaken but it has been restored."

Miss Marlow told the court that Tyrell had a new girlfriend who has a young child by another man, and presented the court with a letter offering him a place at the University of the West of England in September.

Paul Orton, representing the 17-year-old who was in tears for much of the hearing and sobbed as he was led from the dock, said that in dealing with the teenager and his family he was confident he would not appear in a court again.

"His sorriness goes towards his victim and he was sickened as were his family and they feel thoroughly ashamed," said Mr Orton.

"The shame will be with him for life."

Defending the 16-year-old, who was seen on CCTV stamping on and kicking the homeless victim, Christopher Smyth, said: "This was an extremely unpleasant incident for the victim and that is fully accepted by my client, who accepts his risk of custodial sentence."

Handing down the sentences Judge Charles Wade said: "Drink is no excuse whatsoever.

"I appreciate you and your families being disgusted and that you are finding these proceedings are almost too much.

"This was an appalling thing to do. As we have seen it was a vicious and unprovoked attack, and something which until recently I'm not sure any of you showed any remorse for.

"I have thought long and hard in considering if I can avoid sending you to prison. I don't consider I can.

"It gives me no satisfaction at all in sending young men into custody but it has to be done in some cases, and this is one."