Pensioner dragged from van in 'violent' attack

An 85-year-old pensioner has said an "unprovoked attack" by a drunk man who jammed his legs in a car door has left him "frightened" to go out alone.

Morgan Rees, 21, of Stockbridge, Hampshire, has been jailed after he dragged the man out of his van in Salisbury in January 2025, before punching and kicking him, and driving off in his vehicle after a night out.

"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," the victim said in an impact statement read in court.

Rees was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to Section 18 GBH at Salisbury Crown Court.

Wiltshire Police said Rees had been out drinking at pubs and clubs in Salisbury on 25 January and had been involved in other fights before he opened the door to a van which had pulled into a layby at around 03:00 GMT.

He began punching the driver, pulled him out of his van onto the ground and continued to punch and kick him.

The court heard he attempted to slam the car door but jammed the victim's legs, before getting into the driver's seat and driving off, leaving the victim injured on the ground.

"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," the victim said.

"Not every day, but quite often, I think about what happened to me that day.

"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."

Det Sgt Emma Fisher, of Wiltshire Police, 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."

Rees was also disqualified from driving for 32 months and ordered to pay £228.

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