Drug user attacked pensioner, 82, in his home

Robert John Jones entered a guilty plea when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said the 31-year-old had knocked at the door of his 82-year-old victim's door in Leominster at around 3.20pm on December 24.

The court heard the victim, a retired teacher who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, is regularly visited by former students and neighbours, and had opened the door to Jones, who he did not recognise.

Jones then stepped inside the house, telling the victim that he had "a lot of stuff in here."

But when the victim asked him to leave, Jones grabbed him and shoved him to the floor.

The victim escaped from the house, running to his neighbour's house, where police were called.

Police arrived just minutes later, to find members of the public restraining Jones.

FROM THE COURTS:

• In the dock: court round-up
• Justice in Herefordshire: special investigation
• Pervert jailed for rubbing courgette through leggings in Hereford

Officers were again called out the next day to another home near Jones' Silurian Close address, after the homeowner found him looking at a fish tank inside their home.

Jones was taken home and told to stay there, while police stayed outside his house.

But at 4am, they saw Jones leaving and went to speak to him.

Jones, who had white powder around his nose, was told to go back inside, but instead started swearing before grabbing one of the officers' body-worn cameras and kicking him in the thigh.

Jones was arrested and, in interview, said he had taken around two grams of ketamine after being released from custody the day before. He also admitted taking ketamine on December 23 and said he had been "off his face" when he had committed the assaults.

Edmund Middleton, for Jones, said there was no evidence that his actions had been pre-meditated.

"He is very sincere in his apology and would like to write a letter of apology to the elderly victim," Mr Middleton said.

Jones was handed a two-year community order and a three-year restraining order banning him from contacting his victim with the exception of writing a letter of apology. He must pay compensation of £250 to the first victim, £50 to the police officer, a £75 fine, costs of £185 and a £95 victim surcharge.

• The Hereford Times publishes court reports because we think it is important that justice is seen to be done. Read more here. But journalism like this needs your support. Watch the video and please take out a digital subscription to this website: