Single-punch attacker left cousin partially deaf

A man who left his cousin partially deaf with a single punch outside a bar has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Mark Wyatt, 52, from Sunderland, knocked the victim to the ground outside Live Lounge in the city after they had earlier attended a football match together, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The other man was put into a coma, had to have 40% of his skull removed and had had his life "devastated" after he struck his head on the road.

Wyatt admitted causing grievous bodily harm without intent and was jailed for 14 months, suspended for 18 months with 160 hours unpaid work.

The two men had been to Sunderland's final game of the season on 4 May, a 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light, with several other relatives, prosecutor David Robinson-Young said.

They were later drinking in the bar and enjoying "good-humoured banter" when Wyatt, of Alloa Road, made a comment which the victim took exception to, the court heard.

There was then a "heated exchange of views" before the two men went outside, where Wyatt launched a single punch which left the victim unconscious.

Doctors at Sunderland Royal Hospital found he had extensive bleeding in his brain and had to remove a part of his skull to relieve pressure, Mr Robinson-Young said.

The victim spent two and half months in the hospital before being transferred to a recovery ward nearer his home in Leicester where he spent a further month.

As a result of the attack he lost all his hearing on one side and part of it on the other, his eye sight was badly affected and he was left suffering extreme fatigue and short-term memory loss, the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, the man said he now faced "daily challenges" and his life had been completely changed.

He said he had to wear a protective helmet until a large metal plate could be fitted to his skull, and he feared the "nightmare" of needing ongoing, invasive medical treatment would never end.

The man said he could no longer work or drive, his relationships with his children had been badly affected and the plans he had made for his retirement, which involved lots of travelling, were in disarray.

He also said he had given up his season ticket and no longer wanted to return to the city of his birth because he feared seeing Wyatt, adding the attack had "torn" the family apart.

In mitigation, the court heard Wyatt, of previous good character, was genuinely remorseful and he offered his sincere apologies to the victim.

"I hope one day he can forgive me for what has happened," Wyatt wrote in a letter read out by Recorder Nathan Moxon.

The judge said Wyatt's actions had had a "devastating affect" on the victim but it was accepted they had not been intended.

"You deeply regret what you have done," the judge told Wyatt.

Wyatt was also ordered to abide by a 120 days alcohol abstinence order to be monitored by a tag.

Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].