THE victim of a one-punch attack was left unable to speak or feed himself after being punched to the floor in the street.

Thomas Webster suffered life-changing injuries after hitting his head on a pavement and a court heard his mother was no longer sure whether her son even recognised her.

Sessions House court in Preston heard how Brendan Duff, 30, knocked Mr Webster to the floor with one punch to the head on April 26.

Mr Webster had been out with a group of friends drinking when he encountered Duff with some friends on Clayton Street in Blackburn at about 4.40pm.

A fight broke out between the two, with Duff pushing Mr Webster before leaving the area.

About a minute and a half later, Duff came back with ‘pace’ and ‘intent’, dropping a glass bottle and taking off his glasses, while Mr Webster threw off his coat.

Prosecuting, Emma Kehoe said: “When he comes back to the scene there is initial confrontation between the two.”

The two got in a one-on-one fight which ended when Duff threw a ‘significant punch’ to Mr Webster's head which led him to falling backwards, hitting his head on the pavement.

Mr Webster had a previous head injury which had left part of his head exposed, with Duff having knowledge about the head injury before the fight.

An ambulance was called and Mr Webster was taken to hospital and Duff immediately handed himself into police saying the punch was ‘self-defence’.

After a lengthy stay in hospital, with medical staff at times unsure as to whether he would survive, Mr Webster was moved to a rehabilitation facility where he remains.

The attack has left him without the ability to speak, feed himself, or walk without assistance for more than 100 metres, meaning he relies on 24-hour care.

His mother, Linda Webster said that it was like a ‘death without a funeral’ and that she is unsure whether her son even recognises her.

Ms Kehoe added: “It’s unsurprising the effect that this has had on Thomas Webster and his family.”

Defending, Mr Joseph Boyd said that Duff did not know the extent of the previous head injury, was deeply remorseful and did not intent to cause life-changing injuries to Mr Webster.

Mr Boyd acknowledged that the attack and the lasting injuries are both ‘tragic and dreadful’ to Mr Webster and the family.

He continued to say that Duff has nightmares about the incident and is taking rehabilitation sessions in prison.

He also argued that as Mr Webster walked up to Duff and removed his jacket, it did not indicate that he was ‘vulnerable’.

Mr Boyd said: “At that point it would not be apparent to consider that Mr Webster was a particularly vulnerable person.”

Judge Robert Altham said that the attack was unusual with difficult circumstances.

He said: “He approaches Mr Webster at some pace with clear intent he is planning on attacking him.”

Speaking about Mr Webster, Judge Altham added: “He is not in the near future expected to make any significant recovery.”

Duff, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

He was sentenced to three years in prison, half of which will be served before he is able to apply to serve the rest on licence.