A REMORSELESS thug who left a new build sales manager fighting for his life in an unprovoked one-punch attack has been jailed.

Ben Pennington, 31, suffered a fractured skull and bleed on the brain after being attacked by Tony Parsons in the Level One nightclub, Darwen on October 15 2016.

Mr Pennington’s parents were told their son would be in hospital for 18 months but he made a miraculous recovery and was discharged after just five. He has been left with life-changing injuries and requires regular care as a result of the attack

In the wake of the assault Mr Pennington’s family put out a desperate appeal for information on the identity of his attacker. That eventually led to the arrest of Parsons.

The 29-year-old, of Fore Street, Darwen, stood trial at Preston Crown Court this week and was found guilty of unlawful wounding.

Judge Graham Knowles jailed him for three years and eight months.

Det Con Alison Tipping, from the police’s public protection unit, said: “As a result of this attack – which was completely unprovoked – a man’s life has been changed forever.

“He spent weeks on critical care and had to have surgery to his skull.

“He is fortunately making a good recovery – better than was expected by medical staff, but he continues to have ongoing issues.

“Throughout this time, Parsons has shown no remorse and has sought only to protect himself.

“Our thoughts remain with the victim and his family and I hope today’s sentence brings them some sense of justice after such a horrific attack.”

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph in October, Mr Pennington’s father, Mark, said: “We just want justice. When it happened we were told that if Ben woke up he would be permanently brain damaged. And then when he woke up we were told he would be in hospital for up to 18 months but he was out in five. The surgeon has been blown away by his recovery.”