A GRANDAD has slammed the sentence of a thug who left him in hospital.

Daniel Lee Solway, 18, appeared at Dorchester Crown Court after admitting three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

His victims included grandad Sammy Coups and a young girl.

Solway also admitted a charge of resisting arrest.

Father-to-be Solway was sentenced to a total of 40 weeks in prison for the offences.

Army veteran Sammy Coups, 69, was riding home on his moped when he swerved to avoid the defendant and another youngster who knocked him to the ground.

Mr Coups said: “I think he should have got longer than 40 weeks – it’s not even a year.

“I think he should have got three years. I am a bit disappointed.”

Mr Coups spoke to the Echo after the attack from his hospital bed and told how he had his leg and ankle broken when he was knocked off his moped.

He was on his way home to Bovington from the Wool British Legion club when he was attacked on the main level crossing next to Wool train station at 1am.

Mr Coups said: “I am a bit warier when I go out now and I don’t go out too often.

“Before I was quite an active person so this has really affected my quality of life.

“My moped is still in the garage so I haven’t ridden it yet – but I am a bit worried about riding it again.”

Mr Coups – originally from Londonderry – moved to Bovington to settle with his wife Eileen and has two daughters and one stepson.

Eileen died seven years ago and he works as a kitchen hand at Bovington Camp.

Mr Coups said: “The other assaults are just terrible.

“I think he needs help from somewhere for anger management. It’s shocking.”