A NETHERTON man who savagely attacked a 74-year-old when he was asked to stop using his computer to access gay websites has avoided spending time behind bars.

Ian Wise brutally punched and kicked his pensioner friend Norman Darby, leaving him battered and bruised in the “sustained” assault, said Daniel Oscroft, prosecuting.

He said 51-year-old Wise “deliberately used more force than was necessary” in the attack which Mr Darby described as leaving him “an emotional wreck.”

Mr Darby told police the assault had a massive impact on his life, he continued to suffer discomfort, it had left him with mental trauma and he had nightmares.

“This was a devastating attack on a man in his own home,” Recorder Sandra Bristoll told Wise.

“He suffered significant internal and external bruising and it is clear what you did has had a significant impact on his mental health.”

She said Wise had used his “shod” foot as he kicked out at the pensioner, who was in a poor state of health and was vulnerable because of his age.

“Your previous convictions for violence reflect your inability to control your temper,” she told Wise at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

“You struggle to control your temper and you lash out without thinking.”

Wise, of Thistlegreen Road, Netherton, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and he was given an 18 month jail term, suspended for two years.

He was placed on supervision for a year with a condition he attends an anger management course and ordered to pay Mr Darby £500 compensation for his injuries.

The recorder further made Wise the subject of a restraining order, forbidding him from having any contact with Mr Darby until further notice.

Mr Oscroft told the court the two men had been friends for some years and the attack came after Mr Darby found Wise had been using his computer to access gay websites.

There was an argument and after Mr Darby asked Wise to leave his home he lost his temper and launched the vicious attack.

Abid Hussain defending said Wise was full of remorse for his actions and he accepted he had overreacted when they argued.

“There was a lack of forethought in dealing with the situation,” he added.