A CITY man has been warned he faces jail after joining in a violent "happy slapping" attack on an innocent passer-by, who was left with the imprint of a shoe on his face.

Exeter Crown Court yesterday heard how Robert Palmer intended to photograph the incident on his mobile phone, after he and an accomplice targeted Barry Solway, a man in his 20s who was walking along Monks Road, Polsloe.

Recorder Frank Abbott warned 20-year-old Palmer that he almost inevitably faced jail.

It is understood to be one of the first prosecutions involving "happy slapping" in Exeter.

Detective Constable Gary Matthews, of Exeter criminal investigation team, said the case sent out a warning to others in the city who were considering copying the sick craze.

"This is a thuggish crime that is not condoned in today's society and today's case shows it is taken very seriously by police," he said.

Palmer, whose last registered address in Exeter was in Shauls Court, Verney Street, in the city centre, was due to face a trial for robbery yesterday.

But he instead pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, and theft of the victim's mobile phone and wallet.

Defence counsel Jonathan Barnes told the court that Palmer accepted he took part in the attack, kicking Mr Solway up to four times to his body, although he was not responsible for the injuries to the victim's head.

"The defence's case is that it was a 'happy slapping' not a robbery," said Mr Barnes. "Although the defendant endeavoured to take a photo, it didn't come out and he subsequently deleted his attempt."

Mr Barnes added that Palmer and his accomplice had not intended to rob the victim but stole the items on impulse when they fell to the ground during the attack in the early hours of April 16, last year.

Palmer, who had a previous warning for assault but no previous convictions, said he had joined in with his friend's idea to target a victim.

Prosecutor Paul Cook said the Crown would offer no evidence for the robbery charge, having consulted the victim.

The judge released Palmer on conditional bail to be sentenced on a date to be set.

Det Con Matthews, officer in the case, said the victim wanted to thank staff at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital for treating his extensive bruising and cuts.

"He was walking home at night when he was approached by two men, who attacked him, causing him significant bruising," said Det Con Matthews. "He was left with a shoeprint on his forehead as a result. He is very relieved and happy with the outcome today, which has brought him some closure. We would always ask victims to come forward and we will investigate their case thoroughly."

He added that police promptly tracked down Palmer after he fled, and linked him to the crime. Another suspect has been acquitted of their alleged involvement.

"Although there's been a lot of publicity about this type of crime, it's not commonly known to police to occur in Exeter," said Det Con Matthews. "I think it's just the mindset and mentality of the group of people who Palmer was involved with at that time."