A LUDGERSHALL man has escaped going to prison for assaulting an elderly man in Andover in February.

Liam Smith, 28, of Richard Wells Terrace, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that Smith was involved in a heated row with a female at around 5.30am on February 1.

The victim, a 79-year-old man, was nearby preparing newspapers for delivery when Smith brushed past him.

Prosecuting, James Newton-Price said: “He (the victim) said ‘watch it son’, intended in a light-hearted way, to which Smith replied: ‘What are you going to do about it?’”

Smith then attacked the victim, barging him to the ground in an unprovoked, alcohol-fuelled attack.

The victim sustained a cut to his face and was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment for his injuries.

Mr Newton-Price added that Smith had previously been convicted of assaulting a 77-year-old man in Tidworth in 2011.

David Reid, defending, said it was a single blow that led to the injuries. He added that since the first in- cident in 2011 there had been a big change in his client’s circumstances, including having a long-term partner, children and finding employment.

Mr Reid added that both Smith and his partner had also stopped drinking alcohol.

Sentencing Smith, Her Honour, Judge Susan Evans QC, said: “Your victim is 79-years-old, he was going about his business preparing the newspapers for delivery when you barged into him.

“You pushed him with such force that he went to the ground. There is no doubt that because of his age he was a vulnerable man.”

Smith was sentenced to 48 weeks in prison, reduced to 43 weeks due to his guilty plea and suspended for two years.

He will also have to complete 180 hours of unpaid work in the community, pay £1,200 compensation to the victim and £800 costs.