A PENSIONER who suffered serious injuries when he was assaulted outside his home today labelled his attacker a "very dangerous character."

Francis Duckett, 71, said his wife, Joan, 69, has been terrified that bailiff Richard Gorry would come back since the attack in Huncoat in July.

Gorry was found guilty of wounding this week after a two-day trial at Burnley Crown Court.

Mr Duckett, a retired engineer, said: "My wife has gone through hell since it happened because she's been looking over her shoulder scared that he would come back.

"This guy has an attitude problem. He thinks he can go around doing what he wants."

The 26-year-old defendant, from St Helen's, hit Mr Duckett in the face, knocking him to the ground, after he complained about him using his mobile phone while driving in Enfield Close, the cul-de-sac where he lives.

Mr Duckett, who used a pair of aluminium step ladders to defend himself, was knocked unconscious by the blow. He suffered a cuts to his face, a lacerated lip, cuts to his both hands and a large gash to his finger, which exposed bone.

The great grandfather said: "When I saw him coming towards me I thought oh dear, what have I done?' "I had a pair of steps in front of the porch, panicked and picked them up with the intention of holding them in front of me. He just cracked me in the face and left me unconscious in the middle of the street."

Neighbours who saw what happened called the ambulance and he was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmaryt.

Gorry, who has been a bailiff for two and a half years, has been bailed until May 2, when he will be sentenced by Judge Philip Sycamore at Preston Crown Court.