A thug who attacked an 86-year-old man after being asked not to swim in a lake has been ordered to pay his victim more than £800 in compensation.

Benjamin Vidler, of Marine Parade, Sheerness, denied assaulting Ted Seagers of Newman Drive, Kemsley, on Sunday, August 2.

But at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday, the 40-year-old was found guilty of assault.

Vidler was sentenced to 140 days in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay £840 compensation, an £80 victim surcharge, £250 costs and a £150 court charge.

Two other charges, one of criminal damage relating to Mr Seagers’ glasses which were broken, and another of theft of his mobile phone, were dropped.

The attack happened in front of fishermen on the bank of one of the fishing lakes looked after by Kemsley Community Angling Preservation Society, for which Mr Seagers was head bailiff.

After asking Vidler to get out of the water, Mr Seagers’ glasses were smashed, which cut his face, and he was knocked to the ground where he was punched and kicked by Vidler.

He had to be taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham where he was treated for cuts and bruises to his face and arms.

Speaking at the time, Mr Seagers said he planned to stand down as head bailiff but would continue fishing at the lakes.