A golfer assaulted at the 18th Hole claims his former club lacks "common decency and integrity" for failing to ban his attacker.

Lee Heasman's criticism comes after Tenterden Golf Club has stood resolutely behind Adam Roffey, who last month was found guilty of assault by beating and handed a nine-month conditional discharge with £750 court costs at Folkestone Magistrates'.

The court case followed a row that erupted at the 14th Hole when Roffey was said to have struck a ball too close to Mr Heasman's party. Tensions boiled over at the 18th as Mr Heasman began taking pictures of Roffey to identify him in order to make a complaint.

Roffey confronted him and his 50-year-old victim was knocked to the ground, falling over a golf trolley onto a concrete area and a small rockery, with the incident being captured on the club’s CCTV.

But the Woodchurch Road club has since refused to ban Roffey and Tenterden Golf Club chairman Peter Smallridge explained in a letter to Mr Heasman that: "According to the experts a 'Conditional Discharge' does not amount to a conviction".

He added: "The Management Committee therefore felt it appropriate to reflect the Magistrates' conclusion and issue [Roffey] with a written warning that any repeat of that behaviour at any time would result in his suspension and probable expulsion."

Mr Heasman, who lives in Benenden, said: "I am so disappointed that the club appears to be using any excuse to exonerate Adam Roffey.

"To my mind he was found guilty of assault by beating in a court of law, and this assault took place on Tenterden Golf Club premises."

"They should, in my opinion, be acknowledging the guilty verdict, considering where the crime took place and removing Mr Roffey from the club without delay.

"To retain his membership after such circumstances must be in breach of their club rules."

He added: "I am confident if an elected official of the club were assaulted the decision would have been very different. The club's actions lack common decency and integrity on the part of the management committee."

A Tenterden Golf Club spokesman said: “The management committee decided that as this is a private club, no comment will be made.”

Roffey has stated that he will not make a comment because he is appeal the court's verdict.

For the latest crime news, join the Kent Crime group on Facebook.

Read more: All the latest news from Tenterden