A THUG who beat and robbed an elderly cemetery worker has been jailed.

Jamie Evans, aged 32, of Bolton Road, Atherton, was sentenced to ten years in prison today, Monday, at Liverpool Crown Court, after pleading guilty to robbery and assault at an earlier hearing.

At about 7.30pm on Friday, September 30, 2011, a 73-year-old man who worked at Atherton cemetery in Leigh Road was preparing to lock up when he saw Evans walking along the path towards the church.

The victim approached Evans and told him the cemetery was now closed.

Unprovoked, Evans then punched him in the face with enough force to knock him to the floor, where he continued to attack him. He threatened to stab him and demanded money.

Evans rifled through his pockets, taking his black Nokia mobile phone, £20 cash, a car key and a torch, before leaving his victim unconscious on the ground.

The victim was taken to hospital with a fractured cheek bone, a serious cut on his lip and several other bruises on his ribs, body and neck.

He was also left with "permanent sensory injuries".

An investigation was launched and police released images of his injuries to the media to help encourage witnesses to come forward.

Crucially, the victim's torch was handed in by a witness and forensic examination found Evans' DNA on it together with the victim's.

It was this evidence that finally enabled the police to charge Evans with the robbery.

Evans was also sentenced for an assault on a disabled man which took place shortly after midnight on December 30, 2012.

Evans went to a house on George Street, Atherton, where he repeatedly kicked the door to get into the house.

Once inside he went to the victim's bedroom and repeatedly punched the victim in the face and threatened to stab him before he left.

The victim suffered extensive bruising on his face, a blooded nose and was bitten on his arm.

Det Sgt Nigel Rigby said: "These incidents were vicious, unprovoked and cowardly and the level of violence used, particularly in the robbery, to take a few items of little financial value was wholly unnecessary.

"The community was obviously appalled by the violent robbery.

"An appeal for witnesses in the media at the time brought forward important information that was crucial in bringing this man to justice.

"We would like to thank those people for coming forward and supporting the police through this difficult investigation.

"We would also like to thank the family for their support and patience throughout this lengthy process.

"Evans is a violent man who targeted vulnerable people and thankfully he has now been put behind bars.

"I hope this sentence brings some comfort to his victims, the victim's family and the community of Atherton."

Evans will serve seven-and-a-half years in jail and the remaining two-and-a-half years of his sentence on licence.