A PENSIONER who was brutally beaten and left for dead has told of his relief that his remorseless attacker was found guilty of trying to kill him.

Glyn Sullivan, 41, is facing a lengthy prison sentence for torturing 66-year-old Harry Campbell in his home in Boosbeck, east Cleveland, last October.

The jobless drug addict ransacked the flat as he searched for the disabled man's safe which he believed contained a hoard of gold and silver ingots.

Sullivan battered his neighbour with an iron - which broke in half - clubbed him with a walking stick, choked him with a cord and repeatedly knifed him.

He fled without finding the treasures, and took Mr Campbell's car as he headed across the moors to Whitby to hide out at the home of a pal or his girlfriend.

Popular Mr Campbell - described as "gentle, kind and helpful" by fellow villagers - was found semi-conscious in a pool of blood 24 hours after the attack.

The animal-lover had suffered two bleeds inside his skull - which have caused brain damage - as well as fractures to his cheekbone, jaw and eye socket.

The Northern Echo:

BRAVE: Harry Campbell

After yesterday's verdict following a five-day trial at Teesside Crown Court, he said that Sullivan has "taken my life away" but vowed: "I'll fight on."

Mr Campbell was said by neighbours to be willing to do anyone a favour and use his Ford Fiesta - stolen after the attack - to run villagers on errands.

Describing the devastating effect of the October assault, he said: “Put it this way, he’s taken my life away. It’s changed my outlook on the world.

The brave victim, who learned of the verdict at a physio appointment, said: “It was a nice surprise when the police phoned me to tell me he’d been found guilty.

"He pinched my car and money and left me for dead . . . it was 24 hours before anybody found me . . . now I find I’m always looking over my shoulder.

“You could think about ending it all but I won’t - I’ll fight on.

“To be honest, I’m pleased that he’s been found guilty - I couldn’t be any happier.

“I’m still not allowed to drive, so I can’t get about like I used to. I have to wait another nine weeks before the DVLA can get their report together.

“I’ve never met the man but I’ve heard all he’s done is try and cover his tracks - at the end of it all, the jurors didn’t believe him. It’s over and done with.

Mr Campbell, who suffered more than 60 separate injuries, was said by prosecutor Paul Reid and the police to be lucky to have survived the brutal attack.

He said: "Now I can try to piece my life together, bit by bit. I’m getting there - slow but sure - I’ll get myself back to where I was.”

Sullivan, of High Street, Boosbeck, was found guilty after the jury of seven women and four men deliberated for just one-and-a-half hours on Monday afternoon.

He had admitted stealing Mr Campbell's car, but denied the charges of attempted murder and the alternative of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The judge, Simon Bourne-Arton, QC,  will sentence Sullivan later this week after saying he needed to know more about the defendant.