Police who went to the aid of Anthony Gardner, 72, who was viciously attacked by Bartosz Radoch, 25, in an unprovoked incident in Trowbridge were shocked by what happened.

Radoch, of Henderson Close, Trowbridge, had been drinking heavily when he set upon the pensioner, who was walking home from the Conservative Club along Gloucester Road, Trowbridge, on July 5 last year.

After grabbing Mr Gardner by the collar and shaking him ‘like a rag doll’, Radoch threw him to the ground, where he cut his hands badly on gravel.

Radoch, who needed a Polish interpreter at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, then kicked him, pulled him to his feet and punched him, cutting his right eyebrow.

Radoch then walked off, while Mr Gardner managed to crawl back to the Conservative Club, where staff raised the alarm.

He was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath, where he had surgery on his hand.

Radoch, who was arrested nearby, told police he had been drinking heavily at the Polish Club.

He pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Radoch, who is married with an 18-month-old daughter, told police he had been drinking heavily at the Polish Club. He pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Trowbridge Inspector Lisette Harvey said: “This incident is shocking and distressed officers who attended the call, as this behaviour is totally unacceptable.

"The conviction shows the police have been proactive and have found who is responsible.

“I hope the prosecution acts as a deterent to anyone else who might consider carrying out this kind of offence.”