A FORMER soldier who lost his military career as a result of the brain injury he suffered as a victim of a 'one punch' assault is backing a campaign to reduce alcohol related violence.

Former Lance Corporal Albert Duffy has been left devastated after being forced to leave the army after having part of brain removed after he suffered a fractured skull when he was knocked unconscious during an unprovoked attack.

The 27-year-old, of Darlington, can't remember anything of the attack by CCTV footage shows Keith Anderson punch him as they are talking in a bus shelter in Hartlepool town centre in July last year.

Now he is lending his support to a campaign by Cleveland Police and the Crown Prosecution Service as part of Alcohol Awareness Week.

At the launch today (Monday, November 16), he said: "I can't remember a thing about it. I have been told he was asking for a cigarette but I didn't have one. He didn't look aggressive which is why I had my hands in my pocket when he punched me."

He suffered a fractured skull and haemorrhages on both sides of his brain after he fell backwards and smashed his head on the ground.

As he tries to rebuild his life, the soldier, who survived a bomb under a vehicle while serving in Afghanistan, says he is taking it slowly.

He said: "I have my ups and downs but I am trying to rebuild me life and move forward."

Sergeant Paul Higgins, from Cleveland Police Licensing Unit, is heading up the campaign to get speak to stop and think before lashing out while under the influence of alcohol.

He said: "I think a lot of the time people think one punch will only result in a black eye or a broken nose but the reality is that it can cause serious injury or fatality."

Mr Duffy's attacker Keith Anderson, of Hartlepool, was jailed for seven years at Teesside Crown Court.