A single punch assault had catastrophic results for the victim.

Blackburn magistrates heard the 40-year-old man suffered a double fracture of the jaw and complications after surgery put him in intensive care for two days.

During that time his mother and partner were at his bedside having been told to prepare for the worst.

Kian Halstead, 20, of Lark Hill, Rawtenstall, pleaded guilty to wounding Dean Haslam causing him grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 18 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. He was ordered to pay £400 compensation.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said for reasons she didn’t understand Halstead had chosen to punch Mr Haslam in what was a totally unprovoked attack.

“That punch fractured his jaw in two places,” said District Judge Preston.

“He underwent two operation and most devastatingly for him was in intensive care for two days and placed on a ventilator.

“I have heard evidence of both the physical and mental affects the attack had on him,” said District Judge Preston.

“The effects will stay with him for life.”

In a victim personal statement Mr Haslam said that during his time in intensive care his partner and mother were sitting at his bedside expecting him to die.

“I find that very disturbing,” said Mr Haslam.

He said for three months after the incident he couldn’t eat because of the pain he was in.

“I still have pain in my jaw and have lost all feeling in my lips,” said Mr Haslam.

“When I kiss my partner I can’t feel it and that is a big thing.”

Janet Sime, defending, said her client had not previous convictions and had shown genuine remorse since the offence in November.

“It was one punch and he is genuinely upset about the affects of that punch,” said Miss Sime.

“He could not have foreseen that it would have the consequences that it did.”