AN 'IDIOTIC' drunk reveller who battered a man he said bullied him at school after sinking pints at a Wetherspoons has been spared jail.

       Kevin Blatchford, 38, punched his victim during an unprovoked attack - 15 years after the men had last seen each other.

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       A man who battered his 'former school bully' after spotting him outside Wetherspoons has been spared jail

       The defendant had been mourning the death of his brother at the Chevalier Inn Wetherspoon pub in Exeter, Devon when he spotted his former school bully walking past.

       He dashed out of the pub before landing five punches in a surprise attack.

       However, even when the victim was defenceless on the floor, Blatchford's attack continued.

       CCTV footage showed him bending to hit or slap the man seven more times.

       Blatchford later admitted assault causing actual bodily harm at Exeter Crown Court, DevonLive reports.

       And a judge branded him an "idiot" - but let him walk free from the dock.

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       Recorder Malcolm Galloway said: "This was a prolonged assault but no weapon was used.

       "It was impulsive and spontaneous and unprovoked.

       "There was undoubtedly some background between you and the complainant.

       "The probation report suggests work on your alcohol consumption and emotional resilience - in effect, not being an idiot."

       Blatchford was sentenced to 10 months in jail, suspended for 18 months.

       'DON'T BE AN IDIOT'

       He must also carry out 10 rehabilitation days with the Probation Service.

       The defendant told the court he was in a fragile mental state at the time because his brother had died just six weeks earlier.

       And he said the victim had bullied him both in class - and when the pair left school.

       He said: "It was a very stupid thing to do.

       "I saw him walk past.

       'IT WAS STUPID - HE'S A BULLY'

       "It was a bullying thing from school.

       "He was always in the last year when I was in the first.

       "He took my phone off me and beat up my brother a couple of months before.

       "That day I had been drinking and it caused me to see red.

       "It was very out of character."