A MAN has been jailed after launching a “prolonged and unprovoked” attack on an 85-year-old pensioner in Salisbury, leaving the victim injured and shaken to the point he now fears going out alone.

Morgan Rees, 21, of Middle Wallop in Stockbridge, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison at Salisbury Crown Court after admitting Section 18 grievous bodily harm.

The court heard how the violence unfolded in the early hours of January 25, 2025, after Rees had been drinking in pubs and clubs across Salisbury.

Following an earlier disturbance in Brown Street, he remained in the city centre, where he was seen throwing rubbish from bins and acting erratically.

At around 3am, the attack escalated dramatically when Rees approached a vehicle that had pulled into a layby. Without warning, he opened the door and began punching the elderly driver.

He then dragged the 85-year-old man from the van and continued the assault on the ground, punching and kicking him repeatedly.

In a further act of violence, Rees attempted to slam the vehicle door shut, trapping the victim’s legs, before getting into the driver’s seat and driving away, leaving the injured pensioner behind.

The victim described the lasting impact in a statement read to court.

He said: “I cannot for the life of me comprehend why this guy attacked me, I am a defenceless 85-year-old man who was sat in my van minding my own business. Not every day, but quite often, I think about what happened to me that day.

“Every time I shave my face and look in the mirror I have to always take care of myself because of the damage that was caused to my eye socket when I was smacked on the side of the head, pulled out the van and kicked.

“The memory is not a dim one and is still very real. It has frightened me off going to Salisbury, or anywhere in the evening, on my own again.”

T/Det Sgt Emma Fisher, of South CID, said: “This was an unprovoked, prolonged attack on an innocent member of the public.

“The level of violence inflicted on his victim by Rees is absolutely unacceptable and I am pleased he has been jailed – this sentence reflects the severity of his actions and I hope it provides his victim with the opportunity to feel some form of closure.

“Violence of any kind will not be tolerated and we will seek to put offenders before the courts immediately.”

Rees was also banned from driving for 32 months and ordered to pay a £228 surcharge.