Man jailed for assaulting man in unprovoked attack in Cheltenham
Sean Arnold, 38, from Worcestershire was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent
A man who assaulted another man in an unprovoked attack in Cheltenham has been jailed for three years.
Sean Arnold, 38 and of Evesham Road, Norton in Worcestershire, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
At around 1pm on Sunday 18 December 2022, Arnold approached a man whom he did not know on the Promenade, outside Brasserie Blanc.
It was reported Arnold made comments to the stranger who walked away, and Arnold then chased after him and punched him.
The victim continued to try and get away from Arnold, who it was reported then forced the victim to the floor, assaulted him and pushed his head into some railings.
The victim, aged in his 40s at the time, managed to get away and went to Cheltenham General Hospital with severe bruising to his eye socket, a graze on his head and a laceration on his face.
He was found to have sustained a fracture under his right eye socket.
Arnold walked away from the scene. Officers attended and searched for him but he was not located.
A witness appeal for the assault was published the following day and information was provided by members of the public. Arnold was then arrested the same day.
He denied the offence but was found guilty on 7 August this year following a trial at Cirencester Courthouse.
He was sentenced on 24 September to three years in prison.
Investigating officer PC Dan Stephens said: "This was a particularly nasty assault on a man who had been going about his day having lunch with his family on a Sunday afternoon just before Christmas.
"Arnold repeatedly assaulted the victim in the street, causing him serious injuries.
"Off the back of a public appeal for information, we had multiple people contact us and I’d like to thank them for coming forward and providing information and witness statements as this helped secure justice in this case."