A PENSIONER has chosen a very public way of shaming a parish councillor who assaulted him.Peter Britton has put up signs outside his home in Harkstead, naming the parish councillor who hit him following a disagreement about a footpath.

A PENSIONER has chosen a very public way of shaming a parish councillor who assaulted him.

Peter Britton has put up signs outside his home in Harkstead, naming the parish councillor who hit him following a disagreement about a footpath.

Mr Britton, 65, has installed the signs at the front and back of his house in Rence Park accusing William Wrinch, vice-chairman of Harkstead Parish Council, of assault.

The pair have been involved in an ongoing dispute about tracks and bridleways in the area and Mr Wrinch, from Harkstead, has admitted to police that he hit Mr Britton, 65, during an incident on February 24, for which he was cautioned.

The incident arose after Mr Britton parked his van in the lane outside his property. He claimed Mr Wrinch had been attempting to remove the van with a chain when he challenged the 47-year-old farmer.

Mr Britton swore at Mr Wrinch, whom he claimed hit him, leaving the pensioner with several cuts to his face.

"I wanted to draw what he had done to people's attention. I am hoping he will take me to civil court over it. He got a police caution and I want people to know what he has done," said Mr Britton.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police confirmed: "William Wrinch was cautioned for assault occasioning actual bodily harm." Mr Wrinch declined to comment on the signs, stating they were "Mr Britton's problem".

Mr Britton said he had submitted a complaint about Mr Wrinch to the Standards Board for England, which looks into allegations about councillors' conduct, but a spokeswoman said the parish council vice-chairman was not currently the subject of investigation.