This is the shocking moment a thug attacked a gay couple outside a celebrity restaurant in an unprovoked assault.

The assailant also punched the mother of one of the men in the face after she attempted to intervene outside the Gino D'Acampo My Restaurant in Leeds.

The attacker, Philip Sexton, 54, attacked the young couple and Sarah Liversidge on January 25.

This is the moment Philip Sexton, 54, launches an unprovoked attack on a young gay couple outside Gino D'Acampo's restaurant in Leeds on January 25

Sexton, pictured near the taxi, also lashed out at one of the men's mothers and a waitress

Sexton, pictured with the orange top, right, received a 12-month community order having pleaded guilty to four counts of assault at Leeds Magistrates' Court

Sexton, from Leeds, started throwing punches at the couple and then attacked a brave waitress who intervened.

He punched her in the face, leaving her with a bloody nose, and then yanked her hair as she walked away.

Mrs Liversidge and her husband Ross Liversidge, who live in Worcestershire, had travelled to Leeds that night with their son, to celebrate his boyfriend's 22nd birthday and enjoy a meal with his family.

Mr Liversidge, who ran out of the restaurant to help when he heard his wife screaming, said: 'It really shocked us, they were just stood there chatting and having a cigarette.

'It was completely unprovoked and nasty.

'He pushed my wife out of the way, and then went for the boys.

'He also hit the waitress with a haymaker when she intervened. Her nose was bruised and her face was covered in blood, but she was still giving him some stick.

'The assault has had a huge effect on all three victims. We are not from Leeds and will never return. We were there to celebrate one of the boys' birthdays and meet his parents for the first time.

'What should have been a really happy event ended in violence and upset.'

He added: 'It's been a horrific time for us. The boys have found that the attack has completely changed them and they are nervous about going out.'

Sexton pleaded guilty to four charges of assault by beating at Leeds Magistrates' Court and on Wednesday, February 19 he received a 12-month community order and was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.