A MAN has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for a brutal attack with a baton at a caravan park in Devon.

George Powell, AKA George Whittaker, 45, of no fixed abode, appeared at Exeter Crown Court on Monday, May 4, for sentencing having pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard how on October 18, 2025, police were called to a report of a serious assault at a caravan park on Grange Road, Paignton.

Both Powell and the victim were known to each other having travelled to Paignton from outside of force area.

At the park, Powell attacked the victim with the baton while also in possession of a knife, leaving him with what was at the time feared to be a life-threatening head injury.

Powell – who also used the name Whittaker - left the scene and was arrested in Coventry.

It was established that he was wanted in connection to another offence, for recall to prison and for non-payment of a six-figure fine given to him due to his involvement in the discovery and illegal retention of Viking gold in 2015.

Detective Inspector Jeanne Hellyer, said: ‘We were called to the scene of a serious assault where a name was provided for the suspect.

‘It was quickly identified this was an alias used by Powell who was wanted on warrant in relation to the non-payment of fine in regard to the undeclared Viking gold haul.

‘We initially thought he may be hard to track down as he was by now on the run again, but some sterling work by our detectives meant he was soon back in police custody.

‘We note the sentence passed at court today and my thoughts are with the victim of this violent crime.

‘Such violence - particularly violence involving weapons - has no place in our community and we will continue to do everything we can to bring perpetrators to justice’.