A MAN struck his victim so hard with a baseball bat that he left him with potentially lasting brain injuries.

Andrew Greenwood struck the prone victim so forcefully during the attack that the bat snapped in two.

He is now starting a seven-year jail sentence for the attack which took place in June last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that Greenwood was among a mob at a house party which turned on a man who remonstrated with them.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said Greenwood had been drinking with friends at a house in Third Street, Horden, when a confrontation took place in the street with a neighbour.

“It’s not clear what sparked it, but, maybe, the noise of the party caused him to come out and remonstrate.”

Mr Abrahams said the man went back into his house and emerged with a baseball bat, which Greenwood took from him and forced him back into his own home.

He was subjected to repeated kicks, punches and blows with the bat, the last of which caused it to smash.

Greenwood went back to the house where the party had taken place and burned the bat, in the back yard.

Mr Abrahams said the 26-year-old victim suffered serious, initially life-threatening injuries and spent four week in hospital in an induced coma.

He suffered a fractured skull and possible lasting cognitive impairment.

Greenwood, 25, of Fifth Street, Horden, admitted wounding with intent.

Chris Knox, mitigating, said: “Trouble came to him and he was not the only one who responded.”

Mr Knox said Greenwood is usually, “not a man of violence”, and this would be his first prison sentence.

Judge Deborah Sherwin told Greenwood: “I accept there was a lack of pre-meditation, but you grabbed that weapon and joined in with the others in the attack.

“Because you had taken alcohol you didn’t stop and think of the consequences.”