An 85-year-old man who has fought for his country was left to lie in a pool of his own blood after he was beaten to the ground on a footpath in Bracklesham.
George Gibbs was just 100 yards away from his home when he was struck on his head from behind on the footpath between Legion Way and West Bracklesham Drive.
The cowardly attack left Mr Gibbs' face severely bruised, and gave him a swollen eye and cut lip. He said he will never again use the footpath at night.
"It happened very suddenly. I was not aware of anyone behind me, but I felt a great thump on my head and I went down," he said.
"As far as I am aware I was hit once or twice on the ground. When I came to I found I was streaming in blood.
"I have never had any trouble with that footpath. I am horrified to think this kind of attack can take place in the Witterings."
Mr Gibbs, of West Bracklesham Drive, had attended a meeting at the nearby Royal British Legion Club on August 12 and used the footpath to get home about 10pm.
He said he normally walked a different route with his friend but because his friend was on holiday he decided to use the quickest route back home along the footpath.
He had been carrying a briefcase full of documents and a bottle of rum.
His briefcase, which was black and without a handle, was taken and has not been found. Police returned Mr Gibbs' hearing aid to him which he had lost in the attack.
Mr Gibbs, who fought in the second world war with the Royal Navy, called on his neighbours for help immediately after the attack, before being taken to St Richard's Hospital.
He was taken home the next day and had his clothes taken away for DNA testing.
Neighbour Maxine Lewis, of Legion Way, Bracklesham said: "Everyone is disgusted with what's happened. He served in the second world war and is part of the Royal British Legion. It's just horrific what's happened.
"When I saw him the next day he was still a bit fuzzy about what was going on."
Manager at the Royal British Legion Club Mike Hayes said: "We are very upset this has happened, especially at his age.
"It's despicable. He is a quiet gentleman and has been with the club for about 40 years."
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