Joseph Ford left his first victim battered and bruised after coward punching him in the head and beating him until he was semi-unconscious just after 2am on January 10.

He then attacked another man in a second assault outside the Grand Hotel on Terralong Street.

Police described the first attack, the most serious of the two, as “unprovoked, vicious and prolonged”, saying the victim had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

Ford pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, offensive language and intimidation charges and was handed a two-year intensive corrections order in Wollongong District Court on Thursday.

Under the terms of the order, Ford avoids time behind bars but will be subject to close monitoring by Corrective Services staff and must undertake any necessary counselling and/or courses.

He must also complete 32 hours of community service work every month for the duration of the order.

Court documents reveal Ford followed his first victim from the Grand Hotel, launching his attack outside the empty police station.

The first hit caused the victim to fall over, however Ford continued to punch him while he lay on the ground and demanded his wallet.

Ford then kicked and stomped on the victim until he was semi-conscious before stealing his phone.

Ford returned to the pub and tried to start a fight with the second victim, who was with another group of people on the footpath.

Police arrived at the scene soon after, prompting Ford to direct his aggression at them and issue a series of threats.

He was eventually restrained and handcuffed, at which time police located two phones on him.

Police answered a call on one of the phones while they were transporting Ford to Lake Illawarra Police Station, and were informed by the caller – a friend of the first assault victim – about the initial bashing and the theft of the phone.

Speaking to waiting media outside court on Thursday, Ford issued an apology to his victims.

“I’m sorry to the victims, I didn’t mean to do that,” he said.

“I’m very remorseful.”