A 24-year-old man from Middlesbrough has been sentenced to two years in prison after a one-punch assault left another man with “life-altering” injuries.
Jake Smith, from North Ormesby Road in Middlesbrough, punched a 40-year-old man in the head outside The Central Pub on Corporation Road in Middlesbrough on 6th February after they had been drinking together in the pub.
The man fell as a result of the punch and hit his head on the pavement, leaving him with significant head injuries, described as “life-altering”.
The victim remains in hospital nine months after the assault, where he continues to undergo treatment.
Smith was charged and convicted of GBH and was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court today (Friday 10th November) after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable John Roberts, from Cleveland Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) said: “Today’s outcome will hopefully provide some comfort to the victim, who continues to undergo treatment more than nine months after he was assaulted. Unfortunately, he may continue to need care in some form for a long time due to the severity of his injuries.
“It also stands as a warning to those who go out and drink alcohol or take drugs; a moment of madness such as this can not only cost you your freedom, but you could end up taking someone else’s life. Violent incidents like this can so easily be avoided if people know their limits.”
