A grandfather with a chequered past smashed a pub-goer over the head with a pool cue in Ramsgate in a case of mistaken identity.

Hugh Hill tapped his victim on the back prompting him to turn around, and then drove the weapon into his skull.

The 70-year-old could be heard shouting and swearing that his victim had "sliced me 20 years ago", while referring to the man as Peter.

However, Canterbury Crown Court heard the pair were unknown to each other and Hill, a convicted robber, was jailed for seven years for wounding with intent.

The attack happened in front of customers in the early evening at Ramsgate’s Earl St Vincent pub in King Street.

His victim was talking to a friend when Hill poked his back, prompting the man to turn around.

Hill then rained down the blow causing a deep wound, his victim’s friend then wrestled him to the floor.

Judge Mark Weekes told Hill his criminal history presents a "somewhat unattractive list".

"However, you have been out of trouble for almost 20 years and there is no violence on your record since the 1980s,” he added.

"Given your age and your frailties, how you got yourself into that state that you were capable of inflicting that violence I can’t say.

"Your victim sustained a deep wound to the top of his head, and I dare say he will be scarred for life" - Judge Mark Weekes

"Your victim sustained a deep wound to the top of his head, and I dare say he will be scarred for life."

The court heard Hill, a neuropathy sufferer, was conviction of affray in 1998 and robbery in 1983.

Details of either crimes were not disclosed in court.

Mitigating, Kerry Waite said his client suffered a number of disabilities, and feared dying in prison and losing his home.

He added Hill was well-respected by his three children - two of his daughters attended court.

“There is a real fear that he may die in prison and not be with his children and grandchildren,” he said.

But Judge Weekes warned Hill dying in custody was a realistic prospect and his outburst justified only an immediate jail term.

In a statement referred to in court Hill’s victim explained he was a recovering alcoholic, now learning to reintegrate socially.

“But this has really hit my confidence. The incident has really put me back,” he said.

Hill, of Sweyn Road in Margate, was convicted at trial earlier this year, following the attack on April 12, 2018.

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