A ROBBER who restrained a student with cable ties before hitting him over the head with a baseball bat has been jailed for eight years.

Witold Kowalski, who is of no fixed abode, has been told he is likely to be deported back to Poland after serving his sentence in the UK.

The 27-year-old targeted Tsz Fung, then just 19, at a large student property in Talbot Road, Winton just before midnight on Sunday, October 15 last year.

Mr Fung was at home when he was told by housemates there was a man outside asking for him. He went to see the man - who was later identified as Kowalski - and although he didn't know or recognise the defendant, he invited him inside.

Both men went into the victim's bedroom, where Kowalski, who was wearing a distinctive orange coat, accused the victim of dealing drugs on his "turf".

When Mr Fung denied this, Kowalski searched the room and put a laptop, watches and an external hard drive into his bag.

He then picked up a baseball bat and hit Mr Fung over the head with it before using cable ties he had brought with him to tie the young man's wrists and ankles.

The victim managed to break free, but Kowalski then demanded £1,500 and said he would return in three weeks to collect the money.

He wrote a name and a phone number down on a piece of paper and left.

Detectives later discovered Kowalski's DNA on a cable tie. He was arrested on November 3. The victim's laptop and Kowalski's orange coat were found at the property where he was arrested.

Although he denied robbery, he was unanimously convicted by jurors following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Detective Constable Garry Weston, of Bournemouth CID, said: “Witold Kowalski carried out a violent and frightening attack on his victim.

“Thankfully our skilled and professional crime scene investigators were able to find DNA on a cable tie, which directed us straight to Kowalski.

“I hope the sentence handed out by the court will yet again send out the message that violent offences will not be tolerated in our communities. We will thoroughly investigate these crimes and bring offenders to justice.”