An angry thug allegedly seriously injured a frail pensioner in an unprovoked attack after complaining that the library was “too noisy”.
Mickey Johnson, 37, suddenly approached the elderly man as he walked with his wife.
The pensioner, 80, had reportedly never met Johnson and had done nothing to provoke him.
But Johnson is alleged to have pushed him to the ground without warning.
The vulnerable pensioner was left with a deep cut to his forehead and pain in his hips and arms.
Johnson then fled as members of the public rushed to help the injured man and called emergency services in Salisbury, Wilts.
Detectives quickly launched an investigation and began hunting for the attacker.
Johnson was eventually tracked down and arrested as he tried to leave the city.
He initially gave no comment during a police interview but later admitted the assault.
Johnson told officers he had been frustrated because it was too noisy in the library for him to read.
He also blamed his actions on his mental health, as reported by Need To Know.
Johnson, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.
Detective Sergeant Joshua Bliss, from South CID, said: “This is a senseless attack where Michael Johnson attacked a man in his 80s, causing him to suffer a serious facial injury.
“The victim was unknown to the suspect and they had no interaction before the assault.
“The victim didn’t even look in the suspect’s direction before he was approached and attacked.
“The suspect has not provided any reason for the attack, other than that he is struggling with his mental health and had been frustrated about noise in the library.
“The victim is vulnerable by virtue of his advanced years, and so his injuries could have been significantly worse.”
DS Bliss praised members of the public who rushed to the pensioner’s aid.
He said: “I would like to convey my huge thanks to the multiple members of the public who witnessed the attack and immediately intervened by chasing the offender away.
“These same members of the public provided vital first aid to the victim until emergency services arrived.”
He also thanked businesses in Salisbury city centre which helped police track Johnson down.
He said: “I also want to thank the local businesses within Salisbury city centre, who supported our investigation by allowing us access to their CCTV systems, which enabled us to track the suspect’s movements and obtain a clear image of his face.
“This huge support from the community gave us the tools to swiftly track Johnson down and arrest him.”
Johnson is due to be sentenced on October 21.
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