One of three men who attacked a retailer in his store has been sentenced to over eight years in prison.

Matthew Mold was sentenced to eight years and two months in prison for the attack on Sazid Saiyad which took place in June 2010 at Anchor Stores in Cannock, Staffordshire.

In the attack, Sazid was repeatedly punched and kicked, and left with a fractured eye socket. The retailer was so mentally scarred by the assault, he was unable to give evidence against two of his alleged attackers, leading to their charges being dropped.

When sentencing Mold, Judge Mark Eades said: “Mr Saiyad was a shopkeeper providing a public service. You regarded it as a place where you could get drink for nothing when you were drunk.

“This was a gang attack of three on to one. But the matter doesn’t end there. Mr Saiyad is now severely psychiatrically ill, so much so he couldn’t give evidence in the trial of your two co-accused. I appreciate you neither wanted nor foresaw the illness, but it’s a fact of life you bear the responsibility.”