����ý

A man has been jailed for an unprovoked one-punch attack which left his victim needing life-saving brain surgery.

Liam McConnell was getting out of a taxi in Whitehaven town centre early on 14 April, when the vehicle was approached by a would-be passenger.

The 29-year-old became aggressive and struck him, causing him to fall and strike his head on the ground.

Appearing at Carlisle Crown Court, McConnell, of Gameriggs Road, Whitehaven, admitted causing grievous bodily harm and was jailed for 27 months.

The court heard that the victim had been attending a birthday party and approached the taxi hoping it would take him home.

The female taxi driver saw McConnell move towards him with his right hand, recalled hearing a thud and then saw the attacker walk away.

After being treated at the scene by paramedics, who performed CPR, the victim was taken to the West Cumberland Hospital.

He was then transferred to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary for emergency surgery for bleeds on the brain.

Judge Michael Fanning was told relatives feared the brain injury would rob them of the "loved, likeable and popular" the family knew, and the long-term prognosis remained uncertain.

The court heard that McConnell, who has 26 previous convictions, was identified by his passport left in the cab.

Following the sentencing, Det Con Benjamin Agnew, of Cumbria Police, said: “This was a completely unprovoked assault which has left the victim with injuries that will impact the rest of his life.

“Time and again we see the life-altering impact that a single punch can have – not just on the victim but the person throwing the punch.”

Follow ����ý Cumbria on , and . Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.