A THUG who assaulted a man in an unprovoked attack before rummaging through the victim's pockets to steal his valuables is now behind bars.

Paul Morris, of Hamble Drive, Penketh, was sentenced to three years and eight months at Warrington Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to robbery.

The court heard how the victim, who is a recovering alcoholic, was approached by Morris on June 6 at 6.30pm on Grasmere Avenue in Orford.

The two men were seen talking by one of the witnesses before Morris, 27, punched the victim in the face.

The victim collapsed but Morris started to kick the victim while he lay on the floor unconscious.

He then rifled through the victim's pockets stealing his keys, cash, mobile phone and bank cards.

He fled the scene when witnesses came out of their homes in a bid to stop the attack.

Police carried out house to house enquiries and the suspect was identified as Paul Morris.

Officers quickly located Morris, who has previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, theft and breach of orders, on the canal towpath in Howley at 7pm.

Morris ran off but he was eventually arrested after jumping into the Manchester Ship Canal where one officer described him as smelling of alcohol.

He was found to be in the possession of the victim's belongings.

Prosecuting Jayne Morris, said the victim had suffered serious facial injuries as a result of the attack and needed hospital treatment.

Reading out a personal statement on the victim’s behalf, she said: "I keep thinking about what happened to me and it's playing on my mind.

"I do not know why it happened and I keep wondering if he targeted me.

"I do not want to go out on my own. It makes me feel anxious and worried.

"It is making me unhappy not being able to see my children and my girlfriend."

She added: "It's been difficult because I usually see my children at the weekend but I can't see them at the moment because my face is so damaged and it will scare them.

"My dad is terminally ill and I have not been able to see him for the same reasons."

The victim personal statement was written one week after the attack.

But, defending, John Banasko said Morris approached the victim as he owed him money - but this was disputed by the Crown Prosecution Service.

He added: "When the defendant was taken into custody having initially breached his licence, his partner was not able to look after the children and the children were taken into care.

"He had been told that the children could be put up for adoption. This has devastated him."

But Judge Neil Flewitt QC said the victim had only himself to blame.

He said: "There have been opportunities to turn your life around but you now pay a heavy price and now during your stint in custody your children have been taken into care as your children can no longer be cared for.

"That is I'm afraid your own fault and a consequence of the life you followed and the offences you have committed."

To read the remarkable story of a woman who rushed to the victim's aid click here.