Police are thanking the community for helping to bring an offender to justice on the Isle of Wight.
Richard Simon Albert Bates, aged 23, formerly of Puckpool Hill, Ryde, Isle of Wight, was jailed for assaulting a 56-year-old man who was knocked unconscious outside the Windmill Inn in Bembridge in May 2009.
Mr Bates was sentenced to two years in prison and told to pay £1,000 compensation to the victim after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) without intent.
The victim, Michael Jacobs from the Isle of Wight, said: “I’m very grateful for all the assistance I’ve had from doctors, nurses and especially the helicopter crew who flew me to Southampton General Hospital to be treated for serious head injuries after the assault.”
Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Will Burns of Isle of Wight CID, said: “I would like to thank the staff and visitors who were at the Windmill Inn on the night of the assault in May. Their co-operation and information at the scene assisted officers in tracing and arresting the main suspect swiftly. The Isle of Wight is recognised by residents and visitors as a safe place with low levels of crime, and police are grateful for the continued support of communities in bringing offenders to justice when such crimes are committed.”