A FORMER soldier who lost his career and had to have a clot removed from his brain after being the victim of a 'one punch' assault is backing a police campaign to try and reduce alcohol-related violence.
Former Lance Corporal Albert Duffy, 27, of Darlington, had survived being bombed in Afghanistan where he served three tours but lost his career after he punched by Keith Anderson at a bus stop in Hartlepool town centre in July, 2014.
Now he is lending his support to a campaign launched by Cleveland Police and the Crown Prosecution Service as part of Alcohol Awareness Week which begins on Monday.
Albert Duffy pictured while in the Army
L Cpl Duffy's attacker, Anderson, of Hartlepool was eventually jailed for seven years at Teesside Crown Court, had already struck out that in July last year.
He had asked another man, Adam Crosbie, for a cigarette and, angry at only being offered the remainder of a cigarette, he lashed out at the man, leaving him with a fractured cheekbone and other facial injuries. He had been drinking and taking drugs.
L Cpl Duffy, his second victim that night who had earlier attended a wedding in Seaton Carew, was left in a coma for two weeks following the attack which happened for no reason.
He suffered a fractured skull and haemorrhages on both sides of his brain after he fell backwards and smashed his head on the ground. During his career L Cpl Duffy had survived an explosion from a bomb underneath his vehicle.
He said: “When this first happened to me I didn’t know what I would do without the army and I found it difficult to comprehend that a man had ruined my life by punching me for no reason and without warning.
“Now I live with medical issues such as memory loss, anger and frustration and I worry that about what’s going to happen to me in the future.
“My life has changed beyond recognition. I am no longer the same person. I wish that Keith Anderson had thought about his actions that night. Maybe if he hadn’t been under the influence of drink and drugs then I wouldn’t be in this position now.”
Since 2003, six people have been killed as a result of one punch assaults in Cleveland, however, there have also been numerous others where victims have survived.
Sergeant Paul Higgins, from Cleveland Police Licensing Unit, said: “Lance Corporal Duffy had served his country and even survived an explosion in Afghanistan. It is appalling that he was then the victim of this mindless attack which left him so severely injured.
"This campaign aims to raise awareness of the serious consequences of losing control as a result of drinking excessive alcohol or taking drugs."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here