Jail sentence welcomed.

Thug Shaun Boyd’s sentence has been welcomed by victim Mike Rose.

The 55-year-old health and safety consultant told the Midweek Herald: “You’ve got to be responsible and accountable for your actions.

“His previous record went on and on.

“I welcome the sentence. He got what he deserved. His life is ruined.

“What a waste of a young life.

“Nobody is going to employ him when he gets out of prison.

“In the current climate, he hasn’t got a prayer.”

Mr Rose, a keen runner, is a champion time trial cyclist and says the injuries he received at the hands of Boyd affected his ability to compete at his previous level in the sport.

“It affected my season, because of an operation on my nose and dental work. I was disappointed,” he said.

However, Mr Rose says his thoughts are with another of Boyd’s victims, Gregory Broad.

He was beaten beyond recognition.

“My sympathy goes out to the lad they beat senseless,” he said.

“I know it is wrong, but, because I am human, I wish I had given him (Boyd) a good kicking.

“I was lucky because, in part, I was able to defend myself.”

Mr Rose said he would like to publicly thank the police and public for everything they did for him following the brutal attack.

“The people who saw what happened called the police and I would like to thank them.

“The police in Honiton were excellent, especially PC Simon Aldred.

“The way they handled it and kept me informed was brilliant.”

Referring to the attack, Mr Rose said: “It wasn’t what I expected in Honiton.”

He is well on the road to recovery - thanks to the support he has received from friends and family.

“I would like to thank my partner, Sally,” he said.

“And I would like to thank Tim Raphael, of Cycle, in Honiton.

“He kept me going through dark moments.

“Karl Hodson also deserves thanks, because he was a great encouragement to me.”

l Attacks like the one on Mr Rose are extremely rare in Honiton and police acted swiftly to arrest the person responsible and bring him to justice.

Officers have praised members of the public for their help and information during the investigation.