"Just beyond the pale" is how a judge summed up a thug’s vicious attack on an elderly councillor as he robbed him at night close to his home.

Jack Ludlow only managed to snatch 78-year-old Pat Scanlan’s keys after knocking him to the ground in Swanscombe.

The 20-year-old drunk turned his attention to the Swanscombe and Greenhithe councillor after failing to snatch the handbag of Caroline Rakowiecki shortly before.

Ludlow, now 21, of Knockhall Road, Greenhithe, was jailed for three years and 10 months on Friday after admitting robbery, attempted robbery and common assault in a separate incident.

The victim had heard the woman’s screams when he was on his way home from a meeting of Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association at about 10pm on November 7 last year.

Out of his head on drink or “other substances”, Ludlow ran across Milton Road and punched him in the face and then continued the assault while he was helpless on the ground.

Mr Scanlan, a retired wages clerk, was left battered and bruised. He told later how the robber tried to steal just £3.15 from him.

He was kept in hospital with severe bruising around his eyes and face for five days.

"What you did that night was inexcusable... It is the level of violence you used against this 78-year-old gentleman who, having done his public duty, was on his way home, only to be confronted by you..." - Judge Michael Carroll

Eve George, defending, said Ludlow had written a lengthy letter expressing remorse and guilt.

“It seems he has a problem with alcohol to the point where he doesn’t remember anything,” she told Maidstone Crown Court. “There are certain drinks that don’t agree with him.

“He doesn’t ever want to repeat this kind of behaviour. He intends to go to counselling. He cannot recall anything about that evening at all.”

Miss George said there was no motive because Ludlow was working as a pipe layer earning £500 a week. He had convictions for theft, resulting from drinking.

“It has now escalated into this very serious behaviour,” she continued. “That has scared him to the point he went back to his GP. He had a breakdown and had to give up work.

“He has seen pictures of the old man. He is deeply affected by it. His parents are moving from Swanscombe so that when he comes out he can start afresh.”

Miss George added: “It is clear he could have done a lot worse. The injuries are pretty horrific in the photographs.”

Judge Michael Carroll described the robbery as “gratuitous violence” on an elderly man. Ludlow had targeted a vulnerable victim, he said.

“What you did that night was inexcusable,” the judge told Ludlow. “You were clearly under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

“You were clearly interested in getting something from him, albeit you only ended up getting keys.

“It is the level of violence you used against this 78-year-old gentleman who, having done his public duty, was on his way home, only to be confronted by you.”

Judge Carroll added the aggravating features of the offence were numerous.

After sentencing, Detective Sergeant Cara Ferguson said: "Jack Ludlow displayed sickening violence and utter disregard for his victim.

"He preyed on an elderly man late at night, beating him and leaving him with serious facial injuries.

"I commend the victim for his strength throughout this ordeal and I hope the news Ludlow is behind bars brings him some measure of closure.

"In addition to this extremely serious offence, Ludlow targeted a woman walking on her own and then later turned his anger onto a police employee who was trying to do his job.

"Now he has been sentenced to prison, where he undoubtedly belongs."