Ref. 25677-71A BARRED drinker who tracked down a Gorse Hill landlord before punching him unconscious has been jailed for nine months.

But John Honeyman, who runs the Swiss Chalet pub in Chapel Street, says he now wants to forget about the incident and focus on raising thousands of pounds for the Swindon Cares appeal.

Mr Honeyman, 42, was left unconscious when Peter Wheeler punched him in the face after an evening out with friends.

Wheeler, 26, of Meadowcroft in Stratton, who pleaded guilty to assault when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court, had an altercation with bar staff last year when Mr Honey-man was on holiday.

The landlord was told of the incident when he returned and subsequently barred Wheeler.

www.swindoncares.co.uk

But in March last year Mr Honey-man was on his way home from a school reunion with friends when Wheeler spotted him in the street.

Swindon Crown Court was told that Wheeler became aggressive and demanded an explanation as to why he had been barred from the pub.

In spite of attempts to calm the situation Wheeler landed a single punch and Mr Honeyman hit his head on the pavement.

He was taken to the Great Western Hospital with cuts and bruising to the face.

Jailing Wheeler last week, Judge Tom Longbotham, said: "This was a totally unprovoked assault on a person you harboured a grudge against for things that happened some considerable time ago.

"It clearly was a very severe blow, which is described as spinning the victim around. He fell to the floor and banged his head.

"The public must be protected from gratuitous violence of this sort."

Now the episode is behind him Mr Honeyman has turned his pub over into a fundraising haven for the next week in an effort to raise more than £5,000 for Swindon Cares the appeal that aims to amass £10,000 for local charities the NSPCC, Swindon Cancer Appeal and Age Concern.

Mr Honeyman said: "Swindon Cares is a big charity, but since I have been at this pub for the past three years the locals have been brilliant in raising money for good causes. We came up trumps for the Charlie Jarvis Appeal when £5,000 was raised and we collected £3,000 for the National Disabled Bikers' Association. My job is easier and the community is happy when we do things like this and everyone loves getting involved."

Swindon Cares week at the Swiss Chalet kicked off yesterday and continues throughout the week with a series of quiz nights and casino themed events before culminating with big celebrations at the weekend.

Friday is Christmas Eve with a raft of fun and games, Saturday is Christ-mas Day when regulars will tuck into a three-course Christmas lunch with all the trimmings.

Sunday is New Year's Eve when locals will herald in the New Year to the strains of Auld Lang Syne.

For more details on events being held at the Swiss Chalet for Swindon Cares call Swindon 535610.