A THUG launched a terrifying attack on neighbours who tried to help him after a car crash.

Trained boxer Lewis Neal, 23, was jailed for four years for the attack, in which BBC correspondent and former Northern Echo reporter Russell Ward, 43, was left with brain damage.

Neighbours Judith Mackenow, 54, and Mr Ward's wife, Donna, 43, rushed to help Neal when he crashed his mother's car near their homes in Sunderland while on drink and drugs.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard how, instead of being grateful for the help, Neal attacked the women, then fractured Mr Ward's skull when he stepped in to help.

After he was released from hospital, where he spent time in intensive care, the BBC Radio Newcastle journalist needed five months off work and has still not recovered.

A brain injury left him with memory problems and a severe personality change.

Caroline Goodwin, prosecuting, told the court how Mrs Mackenow, a solicitor for South Tyneside Borough Council, and civil servant Mrs Ward, had been in their gardens on June 6, last year, when they heard a bang.

Mrs Mackenow, who was first to reach the accident, saw steam coming from the car. When Neal urged her to help him push the vehicle, she refused, and was punched in the face.

As Mrs Ward approached, she saw Neal hit her friend again in the head and punch her arm, before he punched Mrs Ward.

Her husband rushed to help her and was attacked by Neal.

Mr Ward told the court: "Donna was shouting to me to call the police. I saw the man turn to her and he started to attack her. I remember Donna cowering.

"I cannot remember anything that happened next, other than the man punched me once on the chin and I hit the floor, and then I was unconscious."

The court heard how, thinking her husband was dead or dying, Mrs Ward threw herself at Neal in an attempt to protect him as motorists and pedestrians went by.

Judge Tim Hewitt said the attack was cowardly, adding: "All three have had their lives considerably altered and their lifestyles damaged as a result of this random violence, which came to them completely unprovoked.

"This was cowardly, thuggish, behaviour, mindless violence of the worst kind against people -and this is what makes it worse -who were trying to help you."

Tim Gittens, in mitigation, said Neal had a history of mental health problems, and said: "He had no intention of causing anything like this degree of injury."

Neal, of James William Street, Sunderland, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Ward and assaulting the two women.