A RAMSBOTTOM man left with a serious head injury has seen his attacker jailed for 27 months at Bolton Crown Court.

Ian Kennedy, 46, was punched to the ground by Kieran Warrington outside the Masons Arms pub in the town in December 2015, the court heard.

But after the blow Mr Kennedy fell backwards and hit his head on cobbles. He was left unconscious and endured weeks in hospital with a serious head injury.

An appeal, showing the victim lying in his hospital bed at Salford Royal, was issued by police in a bid to track down whoever was responsible.

Warrington, 27, of Fir Street, Ramsbottom, was arrested and charged shortly afterwards.

He admitted to a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, according to court officials, and was jailed for two years and three months.

Speaking after the case Duncan Thorpe, senior investigating officer, said: “While the attack may not be something he can fully recover from, I hope that by Warrington owning up to his actions, Ian will be able to continue rebuilding his life and move on from the terribly hard recovery he was subjected to as a result of the assault.”

The plight of Mr Kennedy resulted in a charity night at the Grant Arms, which raised more than £500.