A MAN has been jailed for two and a half years after punching a former pal and leaving him in a coma for three weeks.

Graham Hull, 34, knocked Kirk Wearing to the ground with a single punch before leaving him in the road, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Nicholas Rook told the court an argument broke out after the pair had gone to a shop to steal alcohol, which ended in Hull punching Wearing near the junction of Cornwall Street and Uppinham Street in Hartlepool last October.

Mr Rook said: “The defendant made off and did nothing to assist the victim. He then returned to the shop and said he had punched the thief, showing his marked fist.”

Mr Wearing, who was left with a fractured skull and was in a coma for three weeks, has ongoing health problems including reduced vision and epilepsy and has to take 15 tablets a day.

Hull, of Stockton Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm last month, on the day his trial was due to start.

Uzma Khan, mitigating, said: “He has genuine concern for the victim. Mr Wearing was a one time friend of this defendant. This concern is based on the regrettable fact of he is the reason he suffered nearly catastrophic injuries.

“It was a single punch but he never intended that level of harm to be caused to the victim.”

Hull, who has 46 previous convictions for 91 offences, has suffered from depression and has alcohol and drug problems.

The judge, Recorder Ben Nolan said: “It was an unprovoked attack on a man who was formerly your friend. You must have delivered a very heavy punch as it knocked him to the ground and he became unconscious.

“He very nearly died and as a result is significantly disabled.”

Hull was sentenced to 30 months in prison and was given a five year restraining order.