A TRIO who beat up a man in Newport city centre over an alleged £800 debt were handed 400 hours’ community service.

Stuart Morgan, 22, grabbed and attacked Andrew Morris outside Wilkinson off Commercial Street on March 5, Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard.

His accomplices Robert Koncar, 20, and Lee Prosser, 34, kicked him on the ground, the court was told yesterday.

Morgan, of Commercial Road, Newport, Prosser, of Constable Close, Newport, and Koncar, of Ruskin Avenue, Rogerstone, admitted the attack at an earlier court hearing on March 22.

Their solicitor Mike Heames said yesterday the assault was triggered by a historic dispute over an alleged £800 debt Mr Morris is said to have owed Mr Morgan.

Cwmbran magistrate Ann Gray said it had been a "frightening" attack but Mr Heames stressed his clients had been "ashamed" of what they had done.

Mr Morris suffered swelling and grazing to the body, the court heard, and each defendant was ordered to pay Mr Morris £75 compensation.

Morgan was given 100 hours unpaid work and his co-defendants 150 hours each to be completed in the next 12 months.

They have also been ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 surcharge each.