JAILED: Teen yob who left pensioner for dead after stamping on his head gets 14 years

Florin Ripa carried out the vicious, unprovoked attack on a 69-year-old train spotter just an hour before he set upon a 61-year-old woman in Great Bridge.

The Romanian-born 18-year-old, who had been released from custody just a month before the two horrific crimes for attempted robbery in London, had downed two and a half bottles of vodka before the attack on David Cooper.

"I am in no doubt that you pose a significant risk of serious harm to the public," Judge Nicholas Webb told Ripa as he further extended his licence on release from custody by a further five years.

The judge expressed his astonishment that Ripa, of Park Lane East, Tipton, had been allowed into the United Kingdom in 2014 having been arrested on charges of aggravated theft in Paris and he said it was now highly likely he would be deported back to his home country.

Mr Cooper, who is now 70, was a lifelong train enthusiast and he was on his way to catch a train to London when he encountered Ripa in the early hours of November 7 last year, said Mr Trevor Meegan prosecuting.

He said Ripa had been 'looking for a victim to rob' and he punched Mr Cooper to the ground.

He continued to lash out with his fists before kicking him up to 15 times about the head and body.

Ripa then jumped and stamped on his head with both feet, Mr Meegan told Wolverhampton Crown Court.

He said the pensioner was in a coma for 10 days and spent three weeks in intensive care.

An hour later Ripa approached Linda Murphy as she was on her way to work and he punched her to the face and kicked her twice before grabbing her handbag which contained £15 and her mobile telephone.

Ripa, who had been on licence from his six month custodial sentence in London, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent and robbery.

Mr Mukhtar Ubhi defending said Ripa was very remorseful and he wanted to apologise to both victims.

He said that as well as downing the vodka Ripa had also used cannabis and he had little recollection of the attacks. Mr Ubhi added that Ripa now wanted to return to Romania when he had completed his sentence.

The judge told Ripa it was 'fortunate' Mr Cooper survived the attack, adding: "He has survived at great cost. Seven months later he is still being cared for by his daughter."