Three men who attacked a soldier so savagely he was brain damaged after his head was kicked like a "football" have been jailed for a total of 18 years.

Green Howards corporal Scott Halliday, 26, was paralysed down his right side after his head was "kicked, stamped and even jumped on" while he lay unconscious on the ground outside the Lampton Castle pub in Philadeplia, County Durham on September 10 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how even as witnesses tried to tend to Mr Halliday and move him into the recovery position to await medical help, his attackers continued the savage attack by taking running jumps at his motionless body.

Mr Halliday, who had swallowed his tongue during the ordeal, was helped by passers by before being taken to hospital where he spent five weeks.

The soldier, who suffered a suspected fractured skull, broken nose, bleeding from the ears, and whose cheek was lacerated so badly both his gums and teeth were visible, has no memory of the attack.

As well as the 'massive damage to his central nervous system', Mr Halliday suffered such psychological damage he may never return to being a soldier.

Lee Bowman, 19, of Hunter Street, Shiney Row, admitted being one of the attackers and pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Kayn Mitchell, 22, formerly of Harrow Crescent, Shiney Row and Anthony Thompson, 20, of South Burn Terrace, Herrington, denied the charge but were found guilty by a jury after a ten day trial.

Prosecutor Julian Smith told the court how Mr Halliday, who was on home leave from the Green Howards, had been on a night out with a group of pals, including his girlfriend, when the attack happened.

Earlier in the night Mr Halliday had been involved in a confrontation and had punched a pal of the attackers but it was believed the situation had calmed down.

It was only when Mr Halliday went outside to make his way home that the savage violence erupted.

Mr Smith told the court: "These defendants all kicked, stamped and even jumped on the head of Mr Halliday as he lay on the floor.

"This was a deliberate and determined assault. "They intended to cause really serious harm and injury and that is what they did."

During the fracas a barmaid left the pub to try and help Mr Halliday.

Mr Smith said: "She pulled one may away but he pushed her aside, ran back, jumped in the air and he stamped on Scott's head."

Another witness, who was trying to tend to Mr Halliday as he lay motionless, saw one of the attackers "kick him as if he was kicking a football".

And other woman, who realised Mr Halliday was seriously injured, attempted to lay him in the recovery position.

As Mr Halliday was put into the recovery position it was realised he was making "gurgling noises" and had swallowed his tongue.

Halliday was rushed to hospital, where his cheek was stitched and it was discovered he had an injury to his brain which effected his nervous system.

As a result he lost mobility in his right side which has since shown some improvement.

Sentencing, Judge John Milford QC said: "Mitchell, you attacked a man who was on the ground, when he was unconscious, with your feet. Bowman, you started it and you too kicked him.

Full story in The Northern Echo on Saturday.