A man who kicked and punched an Ipswich shopkeeper during a “disgraceful” attack at his town centre shop has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Before Ipswich Crown Court was Marco Maximo, 28, of Bournemouth, who admitted assaulting Rodney Debenham at Cloud Nine in Upper Orwell Street, Ipswich, in September 2015.

He was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years, 100 hours’ unpaid work, a rehabilitation requirement and was ordered to pay £500 compensation.

Recorder Rex Bryan described the assault as “disgraceful”.

Last week Maximo and another man were cleared of attempting to rob Mr Debenham.

The court heard that Maximo had gone to the back of the shop and grabbed Mr Debenham round the throat before kicking and punching him.

The other defendant had allegedly dragged Mr Debenham’s partner up the stairs to an office.

The incident ended when a customer came in and Mr Debenham asked him to call the police.

The defendants claimed they wanted to speak to Mr Debenham after a friend’s daughter became unwell after taking synthetic cannabis allegedly purchased at Cloud Nine.