A THUG was jailed for two-and-a-half years for an unprovoked assault that has left a man in hospital more than four months later.

David Thomas, 38, still receives round-the-clock care in Wrexham's Maelor Hospital after the attack on March 19.

At Chester Crown Court, Alan Gilmartin, 30, pleaded guilty to the assault in the Temple Bar pub, Chester at 11.30pm on March 19 this year.

Gilmartin, previously of Sycamore Drive, Chester was drunk, aggressive and on ecstasy when he assaulted Mr Thomas, who had been enjoying a night out socialising with friends.

Gilmartin pushed him in the chest sending him crashing to the floor when he hit the ground hard and was knocked unconscious.

The victim, from Johnstown, Wrexham was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital before being transferred to the specialist head injuries unit in Liverpool’s Walton Hospital. Gilmartin was arrested by officers a short time after the assault, when he was captured on CCTV and key witnesses came forward to assist in identifying him.

Months later, David Thomas remains hospitalised after the injuries he received resulted in a bleed on the brain.

Leading the investigation, detective inspector Liam Furlong said: "This was an unprovoked attack by a violent, aggressive and drunken man. The victim has been left with life-changing injuries, unable to communicate or enjoy any quality of life.

“Cheshire Police work alongside licensees and other partners in ensuring those individuals who seek to cause trouble in Chester will be prosecuted for their behaviour, and will face the consequences of their irresponsibility."