A fork-lift truck driver who left a pensioner blind in one eye in an unprovoked beating at work has been jailed for 18 months.

Trevor Astley unleashed a 'flurry of punches' on 70-year-old Morris Frohawk as the pair worked in the waste disposal unit at car giant DaimlerChrysler's UK headquarters at Tongwell.

Minutes earlier the pair had been involved in a petty argument about which rubbish containers should be emptied on March 5 last year, the Old Bailey heard.

When Mr Frohawk stepped off a skip, Astley pounced and launched his attack in front of shocked members of staff.

The powerful blow blinded the victim in his right eye and caused the eyeball to sink back into its socket.

Astley was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm after a trial at Huntingdon Crown Court last month. His claims of self-defence were rejected by the jury.

Today (Friday) he was jailed for 18 months at the Old Bailey by Judge Paul Focke QC.

Astley, of Westbury Lane, Newport Pagnell, will be released after he has served half his sentence in custody.

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