Man's shame at attack on disabled victim

IPSWICH: A man who admitted assaulting a disabled Ipswich resident has today said he is sorry for what happened.

Michael Watkins, of Vale Lane, Kersey told the Evening Star he is “deeply regretful” for what he did in June last year to Michael Brace.

The 25-year-old was with his friend Daniel Dunsford, 27, of Norwich Road when the pair knocked Mr Brace to the ground, kicking him repeatedly.

Ipswich Crown Court heard how Mr Brace had been walking along Bramford Road when he saw the two friends in a car and thought they were laughing at him because of his punk image.

Mr Brace admitted feeling frustrated and “foolishly” aimed a half-hearted kick at the passenger door of the car the men were in. Mr Watkins said: “I am not proud of what I done and I have learned a very important lesson and was lucky and thankful to the judge for not sending me to jail.” Watkins and Dunsford pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and were last week each given an eight-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months.