A THUG who yanked an elderly driver’s car door open and punched him in the face after an argument over a parking space has been jailed.

Later the same day he followed two women along the seafront and slashed one across the back and face with a knife.

Violence erupted after Paul Ingram pulled into a disabled parking space in Bolton Road, Eastbourne, as the elderly driver was attempting to park in it.

The 72-year-old challenged Ingram, but the 44-year-old swore at him then forced his car door open and punched him in the face – in front of his disabled wife.

At about 8pm that evening, April 22, Ingram followed two women along Eastbourne seafront and began talking to them.

Then he slashed at one of the women’s backs with a knife.

The 42-year-old woman went into a kebab shop, but when she came out Ingram again attacked her with the knife, slashing at her face.

He ran off, leaving her with a cut between her ear and mouth.

Police caught Ingram nearby and arrested him.

He appeared at Lewes Crown Court on June 14 and pleaded guilty to both charges.

He was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison for common assault and GBH with intent.

Detective Constable Carly Owen said: “This was an appalling assault on both victims who were going about their daily business.

“Both suffered injuries and the attacks have had an impact on their lives.

“Hopefully the sentence will go some way to helping them move on from what happened, knowing justice has been served.

“I would like to thank both victims for reporting what happened and the public who were witnesses.

“Our swift response in arresting Ingram meant the court could deal with him accordingly.”