A “BULLYING” builder who was caught on camera kicking a homeless woman in the head before stealing her only possessions has been given a suspended sentence.

Daniel Preston, 24, from Lulworth Avenue, Hamworthy, Poole, admitted assaulting Elin Mitchell, by beating in an alcohol-fuelled attack and then stealing £10.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Jenny Rickman said Miss Mitchell had been in a doorway in Bournemouth town centre when she was attacked last summer.

Her money was later recovered but in a statement she said: “He kicked me in the head and took my money. It makes me scared to be out on the streets now.”

Miss Mitchell, who has been homeless since April last year, escaped with minor injuries.

Defending, Brian Sharman said Preston had entered early guilty pleas for the “mindless” offences, adding: “It wasn’t motivated by anything. The explanation lies in the fact that he was dead drunk at the time. He did say he was sorry.”

Imposing a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, Recorder Philippa Whipple QC described the offence as “a really disgraceful act”.

She told him: “You picked on a vulnerable single person and not only did you steal from her what little money she had, you kicked her to the side of the head.

“It was bullying, intimidating, foul behaviour. You were so drunk at the time you can’t remember.”

Preston told the Echo after the case: “I was very drunk and I am sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Preston was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and to attend an alcohol programme. He was also ordered to pay his victim £380 compensation.