A MAN has been jailed for a one-punch Whitehaven street attack which left his victim with a catastrophic brain injury.
Kevin Robert Christian, 26, had been drinking heavily for several hours on the day of an England World Cup game before his sudden and violent assault on Scott Kiggins in Lowther Street at around 8pm on Saturday, 7th July last year.
Christian’s unexpected and fateful punch to the face of 24-year-old cricket club team-mate Mr Kiggins – whose arms were seen by an eyewitness by his sides – was said to have rendered the victim unconscious before his head hit the ground.
Initially taken to Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, Mr Kiggins was transferred to hospital in Newcastle where he underwent life-saving surgery and spent almost a fortnight in an intensive care unit.
Moving victim impact statements provided by Mr Kiggins, his partner and parents were read to court and detailed the serious and lasting consequences for them all following Christian’s attack.
The defendant admitted causing grievous bodily harm, for which he was given a 40-month prison term this morning (THURS).
Passing sentence, Judge James Adkin told Christian, of Jacktrees Road, Cleator Moor: “The impact on Scott and his family has been enormous. He suffered a life-changing injury. Their world has been torn apart by your drunken foolishness.”
