Man sentenced after attacking two pensioners in their garden in Gateshead.

Richard George Charlton, 36, has been handed a four month suspended prison sentence after admitting two counts of common assault for the attack on May 30 last year.

He had been walking through the Leam Lane Estate in Gateshead, banging on doors of different houses when he confronted a 71-year-old man his 68-year-old wife.

Charlton got into an altercation with the couple outside their property when he refused to leave their garden. It was at this point that he punched them both in the head and chest and fled the scene.

They weren't seriously injured during the incident but they were left incredibly distressed by the unprovoked attack and immediately reported the incident to police.

Charlton was arrested and charged with common assault which he later admitted in court. Now police have condemned his actions and described the assault as a "cowardly attack".

Chief Inspector Paul Knox said: "This was a completely unprovoked attack on a retired couple who simply wanted Charlton to leave them alone.

"Thankfully neither of them were seriously injured but this kind of attack has obviously had a lasting effect on them and left them very shaken.

"Charlton may not have been sent to prison but he has received a suspended sentence with significant restrictions and will be put behind bars if he offends again.

"We hope this case has brought some closure to the family and we will continue to do all we can to put violent offenders in front of the courts."