Harry Bennett jailed for attack in Hastings town centre

Harry Bennett confronted the 70-year-old in Hastings town centre over claims of an incident involving his friends.

The 20-year-old, who was drunk and had also been taking steroids, targeted Steven Murray as he walked home past Priory Meadow.

Video footage showed Bennett punching him in the face, knocking him to the floor.

He then rained down nine more blows as the pensioner lay prone on the floor.

Then, with Mr Murray clearly unconscious, Bennett took a run-up and kicked him in the head.

Mr Murray was left with blood in his hair, broken ribs, jaw and tooth damage and bruises.

At Lewes Crown Court, Her Honour Judge Janet Waddicor described the unprovoked attack as “shocking” and jailed Bennett for three years and four months.

Lewes Crown Court.

Natasha Dardashti, prosecuting, said the attack happened at 10.15pm on June 1, last year.

Mr Murray had been looking for a public toilet but they were closed, and was spotted on CCTV urinating behind a building instead.

But as he came out, Bennett strode up to him and was seen acting aggressively, jabbing his finger before eventually striking Mr Murray to the ground.

Ms Dardashti said: “This was a high culpability attack where he used a shod foot. He deliberately caused more harm than was necessary and it was a completely unprovoked attack.”

Mr Murray said the attack left him struggling to chew his food. He said: “I have been very emotional and isolated. I have had to deal with feelings of anger and it has made me think about going out at night to warn other people not to go out at night.”

Daniel Frier, defending, agreed the victim was “utterly blameless”. He said it was difficult to reconcile the person who appeared in the dock with the person who committed the “awful” assault.

Judge Janet Waddicor said: “That’s because he is not pumped-up with steroids and has not been drinking today, has he?”

Mr Frier said his client has shown “genuine remorse” and has a sense of “disgust and shame in his behaviour”.

Harry Bennett was jailed for a sickening attack on Steven Murray in Hastings town centre

Bennett is hoping to become a builder and has given up alcohol, the court was told.

The judge said: “When you see the video footage it is truly shocking. For a long period of time you are standing aggressively very near him.

“As he tried to walk away you blocked him. You circled him and you were looking for trouble. All he was doing was returning home.

“After punching him nine times you were not content with that. You kicked him to the chest and to the head as he lay on the ground looking helpless.

“Then you swaggered off as if nothing happened.”

Bennett, 20, formerly of Quebec Road, St Leonards, is now behind bars.

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