Man jailed for violent, unprovoked Hastings attack
Harry Bennett continued to punch and kick the elderly victim as he lay unconscious on the floor
A man has been jailed for an unprovoked attack against an elderly man in Hastings town centre.
Harry Bennett, 20, of Quebec Road, St Leonards, approached a 70-year-old man outside Priory Meadow Shopping Centre in June 2020 before punching him, causing him to fall to the ground.
As the elderly victim lay unconscious, Bennett continued to punch him nine times and kick him in the head before leaving the scene.
After his arrest, Bennett admitted being drunk at the time of the attack and said he'd aken drugs that day.
He claimed the victim matched the description of a person involved in an altercation with friends on the seafront earlier that day. However the victim had only returned to the town via train minutes before the assault.
Bennett pleaded guilty to causing GBH with intent and was sentenced to three years and four month's in prison.
Investigating officer Gavin Collins, of Hastings CID, said: “The victim in this case had been doing nothing more than walking home when he was attacked by Bennett. As well as the physical injuries he suffered, including a nasty cut to the head, a broken rib, extensive bruising and a minor brain injury, the assault has had a serious and lasting emotional impact on him.
“Bennett showed absolutely no concern for his victim, continuing to assault him even as he was lying unresponsive on the ground.
“Thanks to a swift response by officers and CCTV footage of the assault, we were able to quickly apprehend Bennett and start building a strong case against him.
“This resulted in a guilty plea in court and we were pleased to see the judge hand Bennett a custodial sentence for his deplorable actions that day.”