It means 24-year-old Russell Large had drunk around 40 times the daily recommended limit for men when he assaulted the teenager in Plymouth, Devon, three days before Christmas last year.

Large, a former mechanic and chef who has been unemployed for more than a year, admitted attacking the 17-year-old stranger after a day's drinking which had seen him consume 48 cans of Foster's lager, as well as two litres of vodka.

Although it was not specified which size can Large was drinking on the day of the attack, a 440ml can of Foster's contains 1.8 units of alcohol, while a two-litre bottle of standard vodka contains 75 units - a total of 161.4 units.

The UK Chief Medical Council advises a daily limit of four units for a man, meaning Large had drunk just over 40 times that recommendation in one session.

Large, of Budshead Road in the city, told magistrates in Plymouth he was sorry after admitting one charge of common assault.

"It's sad," he added.

The court heard Large had recently broken up with his girlfriend and was on a drinks binge in a local park. He got into an argument with his victim, who took refuge behind the counter of a nearby corner shop, but Large found him and attacked him.

Defending, Michael Crumley described Large's alcohol consumption as "quite staggering".

He said: "That goes some way to explaining his actions. He is very ashamed and deeply regrets his actions. He wishes to apologise to this poor, unfortunate young person (victim).

"There was an altercation in the park - Large can't recall it."

The court was told Large had a history of heavy drinking, but that his consumption had increased in the time leading up to the attack.

Chairwoman of the bench, Dr Sonia Sidhom, sentenced him to a 12-month community order, and ordered him to pay £50 compensation and £40 court costs.

She added: "You pleaded guilty and shown lots of remorse.

"The amount of alcohol you are drinking is a huge amount but you will have lots of help (to cut down).

"It is a big problem. You don't want to drink this amount and cause more trouble."