Drunken yob jailed for attack on OAP

A DRUNKEN 17-year-old thug has been locked up for five years for a vicious attack on a retired steelworker in his own back garden. Nathan Gilbank set about defenceless Irvine Rowney, (78), after the slightly-built 5ft 7in OAP went out in his slippers to in
A DRUNKEN 17-year-old thug has been locked up for five years for a vicious attack on a retired steelworker in his own back garden.

Nathan Gilbank set about defenceless Irvine Rowney, (78), after the slightly-built 5ft 7in OAP went out in his slippers to investigate noises outside his home in Selby Close, Swallownest, last May.

Gilbank, who had been kicking the garden fence in temper after a row with his girlfriend, told Mr Rowney to get back inside before punching him twice in the face and kicking him in the legs and body as he fell on all fours.

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Gilbank, then 16, who had drunk lager, cider and whiskey, fled but was arrested shortly afterwards.

Neighbours found Mr Rowney bleeding heavily and called an ambulance.

He suffered a fractured eye socket, permanent sinking of the eyeball, a broken nose, a suspected rib fracture, two black eyes and a cut above the left eye which needed seven stitches.

He also sustained a blood clot in the brain which required medical treatment over several months.

Gilbank, of Arundel Road, Treeton, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding but the charge was changed to unlawful wounding with intent after a review was ordered by a High Court judge.

Gilbank pleaded guilty to the more serious charge on the first day of his trial in January.

Judge Simon Lawler QC said it was a "wicked attack on a vulnerable old man."