A teenager who launched an unprovoked attack at a railway station has been given "one last chance" by a court.

Robert McPhail, 18, punched his victim in the face, knocking him to the floor.

He had gone to Colchester Town station to meet pals on March 22, a court heard.

McPhail went up to a man who was hugging one of his female friends.

"I knew he was trouble - he was looking right at me," the victim later told police.

"I've been mugged before and his body language said trouble'. He hit me in the face. I came back to my senses on the floor - I think I went over backwards."

The court heard the punch was "totally unprovoked".

McPhail thought his victim was the girl's new boyfriend.

He admitted assault at an earlier hearing.

Lucy Osborn, mitigating, said unemployed McPhail, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, hoped to start work soon in a chicken factory.

He was given a two-year community order and ordered to get treatment for his drinking and anger.

Colchester magistrates told McPhail: "We are prepared to give you one last chance.

"This was an unprovoked attack on an innocent person.

"You have a problem with alcohol - this is a chance for you to turn your life around."

McPhail was also ordered to pay his victim £1000 compensation.

Magistrates told him: "You really do need to get your life in order - it's down to you and no-one else."