Man jailed over street punch

A man who inflicted "catastrophic injuries" with a single punch in an unprovoked attack has been jailed for three years.

Sam Page, 21, punched a 59-year-old man once to the head while in the Market Square, Nottingham, in the early hours of October 31 last year, police said.

The victim, who has not been named, fell backwards onto tram tracks and suffered life-threatening head injuries, including bleeding and swelling to the brain, as well as a broken jaw and several broken teeth.

He underwent emergency surgery at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre and nearly ten months on, he remains in care in a stable condition.

A spokeswoman for Nottinghamshire Police said that although he is making progress, he is unable to communicate and it is likely he will require full-time care for the rest of his life.

CCTV recovered by police showed that the victim, had been punched by Page, of Wilkinson Street, Nottingham, who had attended a party in Lenton earlier in the evening and was wearing a Superman fancy dress outfit.

He pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

Detective Constable Perveez Rashid, from St Ann's CID, said: "Page attacked the man in the middle of the city centre in an entirely unprovoked and violent attack.

"As the result of a single blow to the head, he suffered catastrophic injuries.

"The victim has limited speech and spends much of his time confined to his bed or a wheelchair. He has brain damage and is paralysed and will probably need full time care for the rest of his life.

"His life has undoubtedly been changed forever and he is now unable to do the simplest of things by himself. This tragic incident clearly demonstrates the disastrous consequences a single punch can have.

"Sam Page's behaviour was despicable and he will also pay a price now that his liberty has been taken away from him.

"This is, however, insignificant in comparison to the injuries and long term damage caused to the victim and I wish him the very best for his future recovery."