By Staff Reporter

Last updated 05:20, Friday, 09 May 2008

AN ALCOHOLIC carried out a vicious attack on a 64-year-old man on New Year’s Day after drinking heavily.

Thomas Reynolds broke the nose of his victim – who had been taking relatives to a bookmakers – with a single punch.

The 36-year-old, of Bower Street, Carlisle, was today beginning a 12-month jail term after he admitted assaulting Lesley Reay and causing him actual bodily harm.

But Reynolds will be on licence for three years after his release from prison because a judge at the city’s Crown Court considers him a potential danger to the public in future.

Recorder David Williams told him yesterday: “You know what you do after you have been drinking.

“You go and pick a fight. You like to play the role of the hard man.”

Prosecutor Roger Green said Mr Reay had driven to the bookmakers at Old Raffles Parade on January 1 with his two brothers-in-law.

He was sitting in his car when Reynolds, who had been drinking lager the night before and vodka all morning, banged on the window.

Mr Reay told him to behave himself but Reynolds repeated his actions.

Mr Reay got out of the car and said: “Enough is enough” but Reynolds replied: “Hey you old bastard. My dad could take you on.”

He punched Mr Reay, breaking his nose and leaving him with two black eyes, before continuing to verbally abuse him.

The court heard that Reynolds had served time in prison for a previous offence of wounding.

Claire Thomas, defending, said Reynolds was an alcoholic who was absolutely disgusted by his actions.

He had no excuse for his behaviour and wanted to apologise to his victim.