The assailant is to be sentenced next month. Pic: Brain Turner.

A man who punched a young mother in front of her children in an unprovoked attack will be sentenced next month.

Cyril Atula, 20, from Lewisham, punched the 24-year old victim in the neck as she left St James Medical Centre in Walthamstow with her baby and 3-year old son in August last year.

The victim was on the phone to her mother when Atula confronted her.

He began to hit the woman and was rambling and swearing, while the victim and her children screamed. She thought she was being robbed and tried to give Atula the phone but he continued to hit her.

He eventually ran away and the victim managed to stop a passing police car for help.

The assailant was found hiding behind a shed in a nearby garden by a police helicopter.

Atula, who is said to suffer from severe depression and anxiety, had originally denied the allegations but pleaded guilty to assault by beating before his trial at Croydon Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.

His defence, Vinesh Boodhoo, said he deserved credit for pleading guilty.

His sentencing will be at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on March 12 for the attack and for damaging a fence while trying to hide from the police.

He will also be sentenced in a separate case for possession of a knife and theft of a bicycle.