THE family of a North-East teenager who died ten months after being punched in a nightclub toilet are backing a police campaign against drink-fuelled violence.

Kristian Thompson was just 18 when Mark Berry attacked him at the K2 nightclub, in Consett, County Durham, on September 4, 2010.

Mr Thompson, of Burnopfield, fell and hit his head and although he came out of a coma a week later he never fully recovered and died in a treatment centre in Northampton in July 2011.

Berry, of Leadgate, Consett, admitted causing grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to 28 months in prison. He was free two months before Mr Thompson died.

Mr Thompson’s mother Maxine today (Thursday, December 18) spoke out in support of Durham Police’s Punched Out Cold campaign, aimed at stopping people being killed in alcohol-fuelled assaults.

Mrs Thompson, 49, said: “I lost my son to one punch. I want everyone out there to be aware of what one punch can mean.

“We all have to think about the consequences of our actions. I want Kristian’s death to make a difference.”

Tomorrow (Friday, December 19) is “Black Eye Friday”: the last Friday night before Christmas, one of the busiest nights of the year for pubs and clubs; and extra police will be on the streets to keep the peace.

PC Mick Urwin, from Durham Police’s alcohol harm reduction unit, said: “Alcohol is not an excuse for violent behaviour – being drunk alters perception and attitude.

“This can lead to someone using more force than they perceive necessary when in a fight and as a result one punch can be fatal.

“The campaign is to help prevent two families from suffering loss – one the death of a family member, the other the loss of a family member who is on the receiving end of a prison sentence.”

Mrs Thompson, who now lives in Whitburn, South Tyneside, gave her support to The Northern Echo’s Price of a Punch campaign, calling for tougher sentences for people who take lives with a single act of violence.

Her son had not been drinking when he was attacked; he had finished a shift at work and was collecting friends from the club. He did not know his attacker.