Man jailed for attack which left victim with severe brain damage

Paul Hayes was given a three year sentence after the assault outside the Black Bull pub in Donington just over a year ago.

Victim Mark Hatcher was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a significant brain injury.

He has never regained consciousness.

Mr Hatcher had been drinking in the pub with Hayes, 46, of Quadring Avenue, in the village on the evening of January 4 last year, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

At around 11.30pm Mr Hatcher, 46, who is also from Donnington, was asked to leave the pub by a staff member and after leaving was confronted by Hayes.

A verbal argument initially broke out between the two men outside the pub and the two men began walking towards one another.

An altercation occurred during which Mr Hatcher was punched and fell to the ground.

Although he was rushed to hospital and into emergency, Mr Hatcher suffered terrible injuries.

His family were later told that he had received a permanent brain injury and would no longer be able to live independently.

Following the assault, Hayes was arrested and later charged with GBH.

He was found guilty at Lincoln Crown Court last week and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Detective Inspector Paul Coleman said: “This was a tragic incident that had catastrophic consequences.

“It has left Mr Hatcher suffering severe brain damage, needing 24 hour care and in a condition from which he is likely to never recover.

“The unintended consequences of Paul Hayes’s actions should serve as a stark warning that one punch can have very serious consequences on the life of the defendant and that of the victim and their family.”

Lincolnshire Police is working with OnePunchUK to raise awareness of the devastating effects one punch assaults can have.