A THUG who punched a pensioner couple in the head after banging on doors on their estate has walked free from court.

Richard George Charlton was given a suspended sentence after admitting assaulting a 71-year-old man and his 68-year-old wife when he refused to leave their garden.

The burly 36-year-old had been walking through the Leam Lane Estate in Gateshead, banging on doors of different houses when he confronted the couple outside their home.

He then punched them both in the head and chest and fled the scene.

Police say that although they weren't seriously injured, they were left “incredibly distressed by the unprovoked attack” in May last year and immediately reported the incident to police.

Charlton was arrested and charged with two counts of common assault which he later admitted in court and has now been given a four-month suspended sentence.

Chief Inspector Paul Knox said: "This was a completely unprovoked attack on a retired couple who simply wanted Charlton to leave them alone.

"Thankfully neither of them were seriously injured but this kind of attack has obviously had a lasting effect on them and left them very shaken.

"Charlton may not have been sent to prison but he has received a suspended sentence with significant restrictions and will be put behind bars if he offends again.

"We hope this case has brought some closure to the family and we will continue to do all we can to put violent offenders in front of the courts."

As well as the suspended sentence, Charlton was also handed a five-year restraining order, a 12-month rehabilitation order and made to pay £200 in costs at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday.