A WALKER who attacked a Lake District farmer has been spared immediate jail.

Gym owner and personal trainer Karl Page left Robin Taylforth bleeding and suffering from multiple facial fractures after the one-punch assault near Patterdale, Ullswater.

Carlisle Crown Court heard Page, 28, was seen rowing with his girlfriend moments before lashing out at the victim, who had asked the couple to wait as he herded ewes and lambs over a cattle grid back to his farm.

Mr Taylforth needed surgery having sustained three eye socket fractures and a displaced fracture to his left cheekbone. He had trouble sleeping after the incident, on May 21 last year, and was left "apprehensive" when speaking to people passing through his farm.

Page, who admitted causing grievous bodily harm, was sentenced today.

A graduate, businessman and father-to-be, he was described as "deeply remorseful" and, having been shown images of his victim's injuries, "felt sick he might have done that to somebody".

A man of previous good character, he had an eight-month jail term suspended for two years. Page, of Hilbre Drive, Ellesmere Port, must observe a five-month night-time curfew and pay Mr Taylforth £2,000 compensation.