A DISABLED man who was attacked in the street, now barricades himself in his home and is even too frightened to answer the phone.

Even the defence counsel could offer no excuses at Croydon Crown Court, for Byron Sage, 24, of Bexley Lane, Crayford, who took part in the attack.

Sage pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to Parkinson's disease sufferer David Shanks, 61.

The court heard how a group of about 20 young people congregated in Bexleyheath Broadway just before midnight on December 10, last year.

They spotted Mr Shanks and ridiculed him for the way he walked as a result of his illness. Although he stopped at a bus stop, Mr Shanks felt nervous and walked on, falling over as he tried to cross the road, and falling a second time.

Three men, including Sage then set on him, punching him in the back and sides until he fell to the ground where they continued to beat and kick him before running away.

Mr Shanks later identified Sage as one of his attackers. The court heard Mr Shanks was now frightened to go out and felt his health had deteriorated.

On Sage's behalf, Robert Watson said: “I don't put forward any excuses or justification. In my view his behaviour was abominable. He had had 11 pints on that night and he does not remember what happened. He does not dispute the details but he has shown genuine disgust at his behaviour.” He was jailed for 12 months.