A CHESTER man who repeatedly punched his mobility scooter-using victim has been handed a 12-month community order.

Paul Gallagher, 43, of City Road, pleaded guilty on Friday, February 22 to attacking Paul Devine on Boxing Day 2018.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds said Gallagher and Mr Devine had known each other and used to live at the same address, but were not on good terms after Mr Devine left following a fire in the flat.

A statement from Mr Devine said he had gone to the shop to buy cigarettes when he saw Gallagher with Gallagher's girlfriend.

They said to Mr Devine "you're dead" and "you don't need a wheelchair". Mr Devine said he replied: "Unfortunately I do, thanks to the likes of you."

Gallagher then threw a punch to the side of Mr Devine's head, while also hitting Mr Devine's right thumb.

Mr Devine said he struggled to remember the rest of the incident, but the mobility scooter he was in ended up on its side, causing him great pain _ more than he usually experienced.

He said he felt "angered" by the incident as he could not fight back and felt Gallagher took advantage of this.

CCTV evidence also showed Gallagher punching Mr Devine continuously.

In interview, Gallagher said he drank two to three times a week and suffered from Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

He accepted he had lost his temper and should have walked away.

Mr Devine suffered an abrasion to his face and an injury to his right thumb in the incident.

Gallagher had three convictions for four previous offences, two of them for assault.

A probation report heard there had been ongoing issues between Gallagher and Mr Devine.

On the day of the incident, Gallagher said Mr Devine drove into him in his mobility scooter and pushed him out of the way at the convenience shop.

An argument and altercation ensued.

The report added Gallagher accepted he was frustrated with the victim and did not think logically.

He suffers from physical and mental health issues but did not attempt to minimise his actions.

Defending, Howard Jones said Gallagher accepted he had committed the assault, which had caused very minor injuries.

Chair of magistrates Keith Siddorn, sentencing Gallagher, said: "We have heard what has been said regarding this nasty incident.

"We have noted that this victim was in a wheelchair when you attacked him."

Gallagher was sentenced to a 12-month community order to include 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was fined £100 and must pay Mr Devine £200, plus £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.