A WAR veteran who was mown down by a joyrider has branded an initiative for victims to meet their attackers as stupid.

Ernie Lear was outraged to learn that offenders could start meeting up with their victims under a rehabilitation scheme called Restorative Justice, highlighted in the Daily Echo.

The former Rose Road charity worker was himself the victim of a crime that left him with serious leg injuries.

Mr Lear, 78, of Midlands Estate, West End, was shopping in Romsey with his wife Georgina when they returned to the spot where they parked their car to find it being driven away.

The Second World War naval veteran raced over to the car and banged on the bonnet urging the crook to get out.

Instead, the driver drove the car directly at Mr Lear, crushing him against another vehicle. No one was ever caught for the crime.

Mr Lear, who needed two operations to repair damage to his knees, said he was amazed at the scheme.

He said: "I for one would never want to meet the person who not only damaged my legs but destroyed my faith in society and I find it unbelievable that the do-gooders of this world would suggest such stupidity.

"Try sending 80-year-old people who cannot defend themselves and are being mugged daily by these yobs to go and have a cosy chat with them."

Under the scheme, backed by Victim Support, offenders will have the chance to meet up with their victims to try to come to terms with the effect their crime has had.

Victim Support manager Maureen Amos said: "It is a chance for the victim to have their say and to make the offender face up to the misery they have caused another human being"

She admitted not all cases would be suitable for the scheme and would have to be deemed suitable by all parties concerned.

But she added: "This kind of reparation can be beneficial to victims of crime, provided they go in prepared and receive support and it can also help offenders and communities."