‘Berserk’ man attacked women

A MAN attacked two women with karate-style kicks that knocked them off their feet in a Manchester street.

Matthew Johnson (21) continued kicking one of the women, who had been on a night out, as she curled up in a ball to protect herself.

The attack stopped only when doormen from a city-centre club intervened, prosecutor Dominic Geelan told Manchester magistrates.

Johnson, of Moreton Street, Oldham, faces jail after pleading guilty to assaulting Katie Leach and Shanice Newsholme, and threatening behaviour, on December 30.

Mr Geelan said Johnson had gone berserk after objecting to the women, who were in a group, watching him and his brother engage in some sort of play fighting.

He approached Miss Leach and sent her sprawling with a kick to the back of her leg.

Miss Newsholme suffered a longer attack in which she was kicked several times.

Witnesses said the attack was totally unprovoked and described Johnson as “off his head” and a “violent bully”, said Mr Geelan. The case was adjourned for reports