A man spent two nights in hospital with a bleed on the brain and facial fractures after he was punched in the back of the head by a thug on Bolton's Bradshawgate.

Robert Callen was on an awards night with his football team on December 20 when he was set upon in the early hours of the following morning by Paul Strickland.

Strickland, then 38, was involved in an altercation a matter of moments earlier and a court heard how he thought Mr Callen was involved in it as well when in reality he was on the other side of the road.

He appeared to leave but returned to run up to his victim and punch his victim in the back of the head.

The 40-year-old spent two nights in hospital with a bleed on the brain and facial fractures, with a possibility of two operations to resolve these issues and other issues, which resulted in an inability to work.

The prosecution, Duncan Wilcock, read a statement from the victim at Bolton Crown Court this week.

The statement said: "I was allowed home for Christmas but I was not allowed to be around a lot of people or lights or noises for Christmas. This is always my favourite time of year but this year it was not.

"The operations extend the amount of time before my life returns to normal. I will always have some scarring and there will be more scarring if I have the operations."

The Bolton News: Paul Strickland

Strickland, from Farnworth, was arrested thanks to footage filmed after the incident in which he identified himself as "Stricky". He was charged with Section 20 assault to which he admitted on January 26.

In mitigation, Harriet Lavin said most of his 26 convictions were as a young man and he has been out of trouble for a lot of his adult life apart from another assault using a bar stool around three years ago.

Ms Lavin said: "His understanding at the time was the complainant was involved in the attack on him. 

"It was a split-second decision where he decided to hit him. It was a single punch but one he regrets."

Strickland, of Harrowby Street, was sentenced to 18 months in prison

Recorder Andrew Vinson said a suspended sentence was not an option.

Recorder Vinson said: "Whilst it was only one blow it has had catastrophic consequences for Mr Callen and for his family. Violence like this cannot be tolerated.

"You chose to lash out at someone who did no harm to you whatsoever."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.