The actions of a man who attacked a pair of teenage charity fundraisers in superhero costumes were branded “disgusting” by a judge yesterday.

Andrew Farrell, 23, appeared for sentence at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court after he admitted assaulting Joshua Jeffries, who was dressed as Captain America, and Joshua Myatt, dressed as Spiderman, by beating them, on Wednesday, August 1.

The 16-year-old victims had been collecting cash for CSV Bradford in Centenary Square. Yesterday’s hearing was told Joshua Myatt was tripped up by Farrell’s co-accused Thomas Laird, and fell into the water at the Mirror Pool . As he tried to get up Farrell, of Farside Green, Little Horton , pushed him back into the water, prosecutor Marina Hunter-Gray said.

Joshua Jeffries, who was dressed as Captain America, was grabbed before Farrell tried to pull his mask off. Miss Hunter-Gray said Farrell proceeded to wave the mask about in a jocular fashion.

She said Joshua Jeffries attended hospital after the incident – he said he had banged his head and twisted his knee as a result of the assault. Joshua Myatt had a headache after swallowing water from the Mirror Pool, she said.

Farrell had also admitted stealing items valued at £1,485 from the home of his former partner on July 26. The same day the items were sold on to Cash Converters in Bradford by Farrell who claimed he was entitled to make the transaction, the court heard. The items were later recovered.

Telling Farrell he was a “disgrace”, Deputy District Judge Richard Manning sentenced him to a total of eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 150 hours unpaid work. He was made subject to a community order with two years supervision, he must pay £25 compensation to the young victims and court costs of £85.

Laird, 19, of Portree Drive, Buttershaw , was sentenced for his part in the assaults last week.

Paul Milner, for Farrell, said the fraud and theft had been “opportunistic” offences. He said Farrell had drunk about eight pints on the day of the attack on the teenagers. “From his perspective he was being silly,” he said.