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A thug who left a 97-year-old war veteran blind in one eye after trying to push past him on a tram escaped prison today.
Stephen Gordon, 44, was told it would not "protect the public" if he was sent to jail.
He was given a three-year supervision order, which requires him to seek psychiatric treatment, after being convicted of grievous bodily harm.
He hit Shah Chaudhury in the face and called him a "b******" in an unprovoked attack on a tram at East Croydonm, Surrey.
Mr Chaudhury, who walks with the aid of two sticks, lost the use of one eye.
He had lived independently but after the attack his health deteriorated and he is now in a care home.
Face of hatred: Gordon lashes out at his frail, old victim as Mr Chaudhry clings with both hands to the safety rail
Mr Chaudhury said in a statement that he got on to the crowded tram but had to stand because nobody would give him a seat.
Because of his unsteadiness he had to grip the rail with both hands but as Gordon pushed past, his hat was knocked off.
Gordon lashed out calling him a "b******" and punched him in the eye.
Mr Chaudhury said: "I had done nothing to provoke him."
After the attack Gordon left the tram and was chased by two children who provided vital evidence.
At the trial Gordon, of Academy Gardens, Croydon, claimed Mr Chaudhury had punched him and the CCTV footage which caught him was fake.
Sentencing him Judge Kenneth Macrae said: "I have no doubt that the root cause of this offence was your illness. It was a single blow but the consequences were terrible.
"At first blush, an immediate and significant prison sentence would well be justified. That would do nothing to protect the public in the future and my real concern is the public."
Detective Sergeant Sam Blackburn, of British Transport Police, said he was disappointed with the sentence.
Stephen Gordon, 44, was told it would not "protect the public" if he was sent to jail.
He was given a three-year supervision order, which requires him to seek psychiatric treatment, after being convicted of grievous bodily harm.
He hit Shah Chaudhury in the face and called him a "b******" in an unprovoked attack on a tram at East Croydonm, Surrey.
Mr Chaudhury, who walks with the aid of two sticks, lost the use of one eye.
He had lived independently but after the attack his health deteriorated and he is now in a care home.
Face of hatred: Gordon lashes out at his frail, old victim as Mr Chaudhry clings with both hands to the safety rail
Mr Chaudhury said in a statement that he got on to the crowded tram but had to stand because nobody would give him a seat.
Because of his unsteadiness he had to grip the rail with both hands but as Gordon pushed past, his hat was knocked off.
Gordon lashed out calling him a "b******" and punched him in the eye.
Mr Chaudhury said: "I had done nothing to provoke him."
After the attack Gordon left the tram and was chased by two children who provided vital evidence.
At the trial Gordon, of Academy Gardens, Croydon, claimed Mr Chaudhury had punched him and the CCTV footage which caught him was fake.
Sentencing him Judge Kenneth Macrae said: "I have no doubt that the root cause of this offence was your illness. It was a single blow but the consequences were terrible.
"At first blush, an immediate and significant prison sentence would well be justified. That would do nothing to protect the public in the future and my real concern is the public."
Detective Sergeant Sam Blackburn, of British Transport Police, said he was disappointed with the sentence.
