A GRANDDAD who had a bottle smashed over his head in a row over parking has said he never wanted to see his attacker go to jail.

The 63-year-old victim, who did not wish to be named, suffered an arterial bleed after the attack in Preston Park in May 2014.

Robert Downs, 23, unemployed, of Baranscraig Avenue, Brighton, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to GBH with intent on October 23 at Lewes Crown Court.

But his victim, who used to work in the probation service, said he had no desire for his attacker to go to prison and described it as an “unfortunate outcome”.

The attack happened when the 63-year-old was walking his dog in the park and confronted Downs over why he had parked on the grass in the park.

He said: “He became immediately aggressive and was nose to nose with me.

“He was outrageously intimidating.

“I didn’t back down and there was a verbal exchange.

“I made no secret of the fact there was swearing on both sides.

“As I was turning away to carry on walking he belted me.

“It was like a thunderbolt from the blue.”

The victim fell to the floor but was too shocked to realise what had happened.

He got back up but was bleeding heavily and was helped by some nearby footballers.

Downs left the scene in the car with a woman.

But a witness took a picture of the registration and the police quickly apprehended him. The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance and discharged the next day with stitches and bruises but no long-lasting ill effects.

He added: “The unfortunate thing was when I called my wife she came over with our granddaughter who saw me there lying on the floor covered in blood.

“I said in my victim impact statement I’ve no desire to see him go to prison. It’s an unfortunate outcome.

“But what a way to end an argument – by bottling a granddad.

“I would obviously think twice about saying something to someone now.”