A MAN was left with potentially life-changing injuries after a town centre confrontation over a debt arising from a window cleaning agreement which fell through.

The violent clash took place after the pair crossed paths, in Station Road, Chester-le-Street, at about 1pm on Wednesday, August 10.

Durham Crown Court heard that Lee Michael Alexander asked when he would be receiving money he was said to be owed.

David Brooke, prosecuting, said further words were exchanged and the pair came to blows, spilling across the road, before Alexander put the other man in a headlock.

“It appears he did not intent to cause him really serious harm. His intention was to restrain him, by putting him in the choke hold,” said Mr Brooke.

Mr Brooke said Alexander then dropped him to the ground, without summoning assistance.

The incident was witnessed by passers-by in the street, and clients emerging from a nearby Jobcentre, where the victim was heading at the time he passed Alexander, by chance.

Onlookers, who feared the victim may be dead, were joined by Jobcentre security staff and a nurse from the social security office, going to the unconscious victim's aid and alerting emergency services.

Mr Brooke said as his breathing was “shallow” and cpr (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) was used.

“His breathing was restored, but then stopped again, and a defibrillator had to be used.

“It became apparent he had a cardiac arrest and was taken, still very unwell, to Newcastle General Hospital.”

Mr Brooke said the 28-year-old victim spent time in an induced coma, but eventually, “perhaps unwisely”, discharged himself.

A medical report revealed he may have suffered some brain damage through deprivation of oxygen, while subsequent tests revealed there appears to have been a previously unknown, underlying heart problem.

Alexander, 35, was arrested later that day at his home in Pelaw Crescent, Chester-le-Street, and immediately apologised, asking about the victim’s condition.

He told the arresting officers he had been going to hand himself in to police.

Mr Brooke said the background was a debt of £100 the defendant claimed he was owed, after paying the other man the money to take over a pub window cleaning "contract".

The victim claimed the debt was only £65, but the agreement fell through, anyway, as the pub owner had already made arrangements with a third party.

A statement read to the court by the victim’s partner said it had changed his personality as he is now prone to outbursts and he is left with “life-changing” medical conditions.

Rachel Landin, mitigating, who presented the court with five character references, said Alexander is of previous good behaviour in adulthood, and described the attack was, “out of character”.

She said he is “family orientated”, and helps in the community as a boxing coach.

Jailing Alexander for two years, Judge Simon Hickey said the impact of his actions appeared to have “exacerbated” a previously undetected heart defect in his victim.