A man who launched a vicious unprovoked assault on a 72-year-old man in the street has been jailed for two years.

Bartosz Radoch had been drinking heavily when he set upon the pensioner who was minding his own business walking home along Gloucester Road in Trowbridge.

After grabbing Anthony Gardner by the collar and shaking him 'like a rag doll', the 25-year-old threw him to the ground, leaving him with badly cut hands from the gravel.

As he was being shaken, the victim, who was one his way home from an evening drink in the Conservative Club pleaded 'I'm 72. I don't want any trouble'.

But while he was down, Radoch, who needed a Polish interpreter for the hearing at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, kicked him to the body.

Mr Gardner again moaned 'I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding,' as blood poured from cuts to his hand and knees, but Radoch continued the attack replying 'You tell the police'..

He pulled the pensioner to his feet and then punched him hard with a clenched fist, sending him back to the ground with a deep cut to 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 to undergo surgery on his hand.

Hannah Squire, prosecuting, said Radoch was arrested nearby as he matched the description of the attacker and his victim's blood was found on his clothes.

When he was questioned about the attack at about 11pm on Friday, July 5 last year he said he had been drinking heavily at the Polish Club and could remember nothing.

As a result of the attack Miss Squire said the victim still had problems with his hand which meant he could not do the gardening or go fishing.

It also meant he was now scared to walk home having been a five-day-a-week regular at the Conservative Club for many years.

Radoch, of Henderson Close, pleaded guilty to a charge of actual bodily harm.

Mike Jeary, defending, said his client, who is married with an 18-month-old daughter, could offer no explanation for the way he behaved towards the victim.

"He had been working on his car and goes for a drink and he takes it too far. He drinks too much. He remembers going to the club and doesn't remember leaving," he said.

Jailing him, Judge Tim Mousley QC said "I am at a loss to explain what could have led you to do this. I am not going to speculate as to any potential motive.

"About a month after the incident Mr Gardner describes himself as someone who has become very nervous and it has made him feel extremely vulnerable.

"He was unable to cope with some of the basic everyday tasks and because of the problem with his hand he had given up his pastimes of fishing and gardening.

"With a degree of stoicism he describes himself as being knocked for six by what you did."