A “coward and a bully” who attacked a disabled pensioner at a service station has walked free from custody after serving four months on remand.

Jason Green was given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to attend courses for drug rehabilitation and learning how to build better relationships.

A judge told him: “Despite the violence, self-indulgent bullying and cowardly way you have carried yourself in your 37 years you just may be capable of change with the support of the probation service.”

Clive and Sonia Wassell were in their car waiting for fuel at a service station in Robin Hood Lane, Walderslade, on July 5 last year when they encountered Green.

He became abusive, shouting at Mrs Wassell, who knew him, to move out of the way.

She shouted back and prosecutor Mark Mullins told Maidstone Crown Court that Green threatened to smash her face in. Mr Wassell then got out of the car holding his walking stick and was called a cripple by Green.

He said as Mr Wassell had a weapon he was going to get one. He went to his van and returned with a trundle wheel, which is used for measuring roads.

Recorder David Jeremy QC watched CCTV film showing Green raising the wheel above his head and pushing it into the victim’s face, causing a cut that needed seven stitches.

“In short, you are a coward and bully – someone who uses their bulk to pick on elderly people who can’t defend themselves" - Recorder David Jeremy QC

He told in a victim statement how as a result his mouth was sore and he could only sip soup for about 10 days.

Mr Mullins said Green’s partner was the victim of domestic violence in April this year. She had been holding their baby when he tried to strangle her. He also dropped her phone, smashing the screen.

Green then went into the garden and stabbed himself in the stomach, telling her it was what she wanted. He later returned and struck her in the face, picked up the child and drove off with her.

Mr Mullins said Green had posed on Facebook with a shotgun saying: “Someone is going to die tonight.”

Green, of Wayfield Road, Chatham, admitted assaulting Mr Wassell causing actual bodily harm and threatening behaviour and two offences of common assault on his former partner and criminal damage.

Suspending an 18-month prison sentence for two years, Recorder Jeremy told Green: “In short, you are a coward and bully – someone who uses their bulk to pick on elderly people who can’t defend themselves or female partners who are in fear of you. It is a very unattractive picture of someone who can’t control their temper.”

A restraining order banning Green from going to the Weedswood estate where his former partner lives was made for five years.