Man jailed after "unprovoked" attack on 85-year-old man in Salisbury
Morgan Rees, 21, admitted causing serious injury after targeting the pensioner in January 2025
A man has been jailed for over three years after attacking an 85-year-old man in Salisbury.
Morgan Rees, 21, of Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison at Salisbury Crown Court today (18th May) after pleading guilty to Section 18 GBH.
The incident happened on January 25 last year (2025) after Rees has been out drinking at several pubs and clubs in Salisbury and was involved in a disorder in Brown Street.
Wiltshire Police said after the disorder Rees remained in the area and appeared to have disagreements with a number of others, before emptying bins and throwing rubbish around the local area.
Later, around 3am, Rees approached a vehicle parked in a layby, opened its door, and launched an attack on the driver, repeatedly punching and kicking him before pulling him out of the vehicle.
Rees attempted to slam the car door, injuring the victim further, before driving off and leaving the injured man behind.
“The memory is not a dim one and is still very real."
The victim – an 85-year-old man, described how the incident had impacted him in a statement read to the court.
He said: “I cannot for the life of me comprehend why this guy attacked me, I am a defenseless 85-year-old man who was sat in my van minding my own business. Not every day, but quite often, I think about what happened to me that day.
“Every time I shave my face and look in the mirror I have to always take care of myself because of the damage that was caused to my eye socket when I was smacked on the side of the head, pulled out the van and kicked.
“The memory is not a dim one and is still very real. It has frightened me off going to Salisbury, or anywhere in the evening, on my own again.”
"An unprovoked, prolonged attack"
T/Det Sgt Emma Fisher, of South CID, said: “This was an unprovoked, prolonged attack on an innocent member of the public.
"The level of violence inflicted on his victim by Rees is absolutely unacceptable and I am pleased he has been jailed – this sentence reflects the severity of his actions and I hope it provides his victim with the opportunity to feel some form of closure.
“Violence of any kind will not be tolerated and we will seek to put offenders before the courts immediately.”
Rees was also disqualified from driving for 32 months and ordered to pay a £228 surcharge.