The victim of a vicious unprovoked attack said he feels sorry for his attacker after he was jailed for seven years.

Ipswich Star: Shane Gull attackShane Gull attack (Image: Archant)

The 77-year-old, who only wishes to be known by his first name of Tony, was punched to the ground outside the-then Tower Ramparts’ entrance before being kicked and beaten while laying defenceless on the floor.

Shane Gull, of Bull Road, Ipswich, rained around 16 blows on down on Tony during the attack which took place in front of schoolchildren near the Electric House bus station at around 7.30am on March 19 last year.

After the 41-year-old’s sentencing Tony said: “Life has to go on. I just feel sorry for him. I really do. He’s got something wrong with him.”

Tony, who was standing outside McColl’s newsagents at the time, said: “The police did say it was one of the worst attacks they had ever seen.

“I was just reading my newspaper looking up occasionally and there was this chap. I wasn’t really taking any notice.

“He came across and called me a paedophile – which I am not. I took objection to that and said ‘I’m going into the shop’.

“He thumped me and knocked me to the ground and my glasses fell off. He proceeded to kick me in the face and on my hand 16 times. I tried to protect myself with my left arm and that took a bit of damage.

“Eventually the (centre’s) security men came down to take him into the shop.

“They reckon I blacked out for a while. I know when I said ‘somebody help me’ it seemed a bit distant.”

Although police initially feared Tony – who lives in Ipswich – had been seriously injured when he was taken to hospital but he was discharged the same day.

Tony sustained cuts to his forehead, black eyes, a cut to his left eyebrow which had to be glued, and swelling to his left hand that took eight weeks to go down.

Tony, who was 76 at the time, said the incident flared up so quickly: “I was surprised. I wasn’t thinking about anything else. I was just thinking about self-preservation.”

After reliving his ordeal he added that he wanted to thank everyone who helped him after the incident.

Gull was arrested immediately after the attack and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court today.

Following his sentencing Detective Chief Inspector Barry Byford said: “This is an extremely disturbing unprovoked attack where an elderly man was viciously assaulted in a public place.

“The victim then tried to defend himself by shielding his face, while lying on the floor and was further subject to injury.

“During interview, the offender was shown photographs of the victim’s injuries, showing no remorse whatsoever and was completely unrepentant of his actions.

“Not only did he harm the victim but he also caused distress to many children who were around at the nearby bus station on their way to school.”