GRANDFATHER Eric Hicks had worked as a volunteer for 15 years.

But after he was the victim of a brutal attack, which left him with permanent facial injuries, he has been too scared to return to the role he loved.

The 74-year-old had worked as a volunteer at Atherton cemetery for 15 years.

But on September 30, 2011, as he was locking up the cemetery, thug Jamie Evans threatened to stab him before punching and kicking him as he lay on the ground.

Mr Hicks, who worked in the Royal Bolton Hospital kitchens until he retired several years ago due to ill health, suffered a broken jaw, cheek bone and eye socket. His face was so swollen he could not have surgery and the left side of his face has been left completely numb since the attack.

This week, Evans, aged 32, of Bolton Road, Atherton, was jailed for even-and-a-half in prison with a two-and-a-half year extended licence when he is released after he pleaded guilty to robbery and assault.

Mr Hicks, who lives in Atherton, said: “I had to stop locking up after it happened because I did not feel safe.

“I did not know the bloke and I won’t get over it. It still haunts me. I feel like I am always looking over my shoulder.

“It shouldn’t have happened and it will never go away.

“It is always there in the back of my mind that it could happen again.

”A prison sentence will never make up for what he has done to me.

But he said he had a lot of support following the attack which helped him try to come to terms with what happened.

Mr Hicks added: “My daughter Susan has been a tower of strength. She has been behind me all the time and helped me.”

He also wants to thank the couple who stopped to help him and contacted emergency services after it happened.

After the attack Mr Hicks says he received hundreds of cards and gifts from well wishers, including from strangers.

He added: “I would like to thank everyone who helped me and wished me well for my recovery.

“I had so many cards, I was really touched. I have kept them all.”

Evans was caught after a media appeal, when a witness handed in a torch stolen during the robbery which had Evans and Mr Hicks’s DNA on it.

He was also sentenced for an assault on a disabled man which took place shortly after on December 30, last year.

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