A COMPASSIONATE clergyman has agreed that a mental health patient who attacked him in the street should not be prosecuted.

The Rev Kevin Goss was walking near Boots in the High Street, Canterbury, when he was the victim the brutal, unprovoked assault. He said: "I was just on my way to get a haircut when I heard someone shout out 'you evil man'.

"I turned round to see a punch coming my way. I flinched but it caught me on the side of the face by my ear, sending me sprawling over a bollard. It was quite a blow."

Mr Goss, 45, who is the precentor at Canterbury Cathedral, says the public seemed to scatter but he is grateful to security staff at Boots and Debenhams who came to his aid.

They followed the man who had run off and eventually detained him for city beat officers who made the arrest.

The 37-year-old local man, who was said to have mental health problems, was searched and found to have a knife on him which was confiscated.

Police say the decision to caution the offender was taken in consultation with Mr Goss who was made aware of his problems.

A police spokesman said: "These cases are judged on their merits but the man had no previous convictions for like offences and it was considered to be in his best interest to send him back to the William Harvey Hospital where he is being treated."

Mr Goss, who suffered bruising and concussion in the assault, said he also believed it was the right decision.

He added: "I don't know why he attacked me but I was wearing my clerical collar and there are increasing incidents of the clergy being targeted, for whatever reason.

"Given his mental health, I just did not see the point of having him prosecuted. He is better off getting treatment for his problems."