A MAN who was viciously beaten when he went to help a car crash victim has spoken of the lasting effect the attack has had on his life.

BBC Radio Newcastle reporter Russell Ward, 43, was left with a fractured skull and brain damage, after going to help a couple whose car had crashed outside his house in Thornhill, Sunderland in June last year.

Mr Ward was punched and kicked by Lewis Neal, after intervening to save wife Donna and neighbour Judith Mackelow from Neal's fury at police being called. His son Rhys, then 15, witnessed it.

Doctors said that one more blow to Mr Ward's head would have killed him.

Neal, 23, of James Williams Street, Sunderland, yesterday pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at Newcastle Crown Court.

He also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on both Mrs Ward and her neighbour, Mrs Mackelow.

Judge Tim Hewitt adjourned sentence until April 15 for the preparation of a pre-sentence and a psychiatric report.

Following the case, Mr Ward said that although Neal had admitted responsibility, he and his family are left to relive the nightmare.

"I can't remember much about the attack, but I remember what a huge man he was. A man of his size shouldn't be attacking two women.

"Everyone said how calm he was during the attack, so controlled. My wife was sure I was dead. Since the attack, I've had problems controlling my behaviour and act irrationally to things, and have short-term memory loss. I've also lost my sense of smell and have impairments with my right leg.

"My wife and son have suffered terribly psychologically, and the only bit of relief we've had for nine months was when we heard his guilty plea."

Mrs Ward, 44, said: "Since that night, our lives have been turned upside down. I lost the man I was married to.

"Nobody should ever have to go through that just for trying to help. But we'd do it again, of course. It's human nature to help."