The victim of a horrific attack which left him needing hospital treatment has spoken out about his traumatic ordeal.

Robin Allen was driving near his home in Penhill on Thursday, October 17 when he was flagged down by an intoxicated naked man – Jordan Rawlings.

Rawlings, 27, of no fixed abode in Bath, asked Allen for a lift to Bath twice and even offered £400 for the journey, but Allen refused.

In an unprovoked attack, Rawlings suddenly punched through the window of the driver’s side, before opening the door and dragging Allen from his seat, while kicking and punching him around four or five times to the face.

Leaving Allen on the floor, Rawlings got into the car as if to flee the scene, but fortunately, a police vehicle that happened to be patrolling the area intercepted.

Read More: 'Naked' man punches and kicks stranger in 'very odd' attack

Rawlings then bolted on foot and was later arrested after being found hiding in a garden, while an officer drove Allen to the Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital.

Allen told the Advertiser: “I had cuts, bruises and suspected broken ribs. At the time they said I was clear of concussion, but then I developed it later that day and I’ve been concussed ever since.

“I remember everything. It is traumatic to a point – I can talk about it now but when I go to bed I can’t sleep because I’m thinking about it.

“I feel ok going around that bit of Penhill Drive in the daytime. I haven’t done it at night and I know that the best way of overcoming something is to face it head on. I know I’m going to have to do it, but I do worry about it.

“This has had a profound impact on me physically and emotionally. It hasn’t just been me, it’s massively impacted my girlfriend too and her extended family.

(Image: Robin Allen)

"She’s had to bring in people because she’s completely living in my bubble and she’s broken down saying she can’t cope, but it’s only because of what he did for no reason.”

Allen, a self-employed journalist, suffers with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus and has previously had 12 surgeries on his brain, meaning a blow to the head could easily have been fatal.

Meanwhile, Rawlings, who was on bail from Bristol Crown Court for a previous assault at the time of the offence, has had 14 convictions since 2015.

He pleaded guilty to assault and vehicle interference at Swindon Magistrates Court the following day on October 18.

Read More: Doorman 'left disfigured in violent attack from drunk' at pub

In mitigation, Mr Mott, defending, said it was a “very odd case” and suggested the attack was “extremely spontaneous” and occurred after Rawlings was on a night out with his brother.

Rawlings said his last memory of the night was getting into bed and when he was told about the assault and heard about Allen’s complex medical history, he was “embarrassed” and “very upset.

He was remanded in custody pending sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on October 24.

At the hearing, the Magistrate sentenced him to 12 months in custody suspended for 18 months, with no separate penalty imposed for the attempted theft of the vehicle.

Allen said he was “dumbfounded” by the sentence and felt as if Rawlings had been “let off.”

“Is there any justice in the world? That is exactly what I thought”, said Allen.

“I know obviously in the current climate there’s a prison crisis, but the people making the decisions should take into account the impact it’s had on the victims.

“I’m already disabled and although I have short-term memory due to dyslexia, I could remember what I did yesterday. After the attack, I can’t. It’s had a monumental impact beyond any imagination.”

Allen, who did not receive compensation from Rawlings, has started a gofundme to help him get back on his feet while he is out of work recovering from the incident.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app