A Palestine Solidarity campaigner has won damages in the civil court from a man who assaulted him outside a supermarket.

Tony Greenstein, 56, was handing out leaflets outside Waitrose supermarket in Western Road, Brighton, on June 12 2010, when Franklin Davis hit him on the side of the head with a bag containing tins of food.

Mr Davis, 62, of Cromwell Road, Hove, was arrested on suspicion of common assault and cautioned by Sussex Police.

However, Mr Greenstein decided to pursue the matter through the civil courts to highlight the point that people have the right to protest peacefully without fear of violence.

In March he began proceedings for assault and battery against Mr Davis.

He applied for a summary judgement, claiming there was no need for a trial because Mr Davis had already admitted his guilt when cautioned.

On June 9 Mr Greenstein was awarded damages of £600 by Brighton County Court. He said the money would be split between The Friends of Birzeit University in Palestine and another charity in Scotland.

He said: “Those who believe they have the right to assault peace protesters and supporters of the Palestinians have been put on notice by the courts that such behaviour will leave them not only criminally liable to prosecution but also that they can expect to be sued in the civil courts.