A MAN was ordered to pay £1,165 after an unprovoked attack on four night-time revellers in Ludlow.

Richard Price, 47, attacked three women as they tried to get a taxi home before later assaulting a man walking with his friend.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of assault by beating at Hereford Magistrates Court but couldn't explain his actions.

Price, of West View, Newport, Isle of Wight, had been visiting a friend when the incidents took place on November 12.

Amy Davies, prosecuting, said that the incidents happened at around 10.30pm, when Price approached a taxi in Upper Galdeford.

Four women also approached the taxi rank and were nearby.

"He walked towards the group and attacked one of the females by punching her to the face," said Mrs Davies.

"Another one of the women asked if the taxi was one she had pre-booked and he pushed her to the back of the head causing her to hit the door frame."

Another woman pushed Price into a taxi to restrain him while her friends tried to get into their pre-booked taxi.

The woman restraining him let go and he kicked her and swung a punch.

The women left and 15 minutes later two men were walking in the area and met the defendant and his friend. Without warning, Price threw his right arm and made contact with his neck.

The man called police to report the assault and continued to watch him until police arrived.

On interview, Price said that he had driven to Ludlow to meet a friend before spending an afternoon together and visited a number of pubs but didn't remember the incidents.

The first woman suffered bruising to her lip, the second had bruising to her scalp and the third had reddening to her leg.

The man suffered no injuries.

Emily Gourley, mitigating, said that Price had no memory of the attacks or explanation.

She said: "It's a strange case as this man has never been in a criminal court before or visited a place like this.

"He has no memory whatsoever but he accepts the case and can offer no explanation. He is disgusted with his actions which he doesn't recognise as something he would ever do.

"He doesn't drink to excess and the lady he was with can't remember the incident either. He doesn't know whether his drink was spiked but there's no evidence of that.

"He has three daughters and is more shocked that the violence was against women. He can't explain why he starting injuring a group of girls."

Magistrates ordered Price to pay each of four victims £100 in compensation, a £600 fine, £135 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.