A dog walker who savagely beat an innocent passer-by with the animal's metal lead escaped jail.

Robert Crossingham was allowed to walk free from court after expressing remorse for the unprovoked attack.

A judge heard that the 25-year-old and another man set about Christopher Noys, whipping him across his back, face and head.

The assault left him with ugly red welts and needing hospital treatment.

Passers-by watched in horror as Crossingham carried out the attack in Didcot on June 28 last year.

Crossingham, of Kynaston Road, Didcot, denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Judge Mary Jane Mowat told him: "The offence you committed was unprovoked and inexcusable."

She sentenced him to 180 hours' community punishment and ordered him to pay £500 compensation.