A MAN was told he was lucky not to be facing a murder charge after punching a man to the ground in Bridlington.
Samuel Humphrey, 20, was told Christopher Excelby was lucky to survive the attack in Bridlington town centre.
Mr Excelby was knocked out and fell to the ground, hitting his head on a pavement, after being punched in the head by Humphrey. Blood was flowing from his mouth.
Humphrey has been jailed for eight months for the attack.
Judge Mark Bury said: "People who are punched to the floor and bang their heads can end up dead. You would be facing a murder or manslaughter charge.
"You are lucky. These are the sorts of actions that cause death."
A friend of Mr Excelby's put him in the recovery position and gave him first aid after the attack outside the Harbour Lights pub in the early hours of April 28.
He suffered swelling and bruising to his face, but no long-term damage.
Humphrey, of Curlew Grove, Bridlington, had been given an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) in August last year after a series of alcohol-fuelled crimes.
He admitted breaching the order and causing actual bodily harm to Mr Excelby when he appeared at Hull Crown Court.
Unemployed Humphrey had been drinking at a house before the assault as his Asbo banned him from pubs and clubs in the town.
Prosecutor Philip Evans said Humphrey was outside Shades nightclub in Queen Street when a scuffle that had broken out inside spilled out on to the street.
He said: "A witness said a stranger, which was the defendant, started becoming involved and throwing punches at Christopher Excelby.
"The witness stepped in to stop this from happening and he and Mr Excelby made their way to the front of the Harbour Lights.
"The defendant again walked up to Mr Excelby and delivered a single blow, which caused him to fall unconscious to the ground.
"Luckily, he has no lasting injuries. Many such cases result in far worse consequences."
Police arrested Humphrey after they spotted him in the town centre shortly after the assault.
His barrister John Thackray said: "He recognises he has to stop drinking and getting into trouble and get into work.
"He has an unenviable record, there can be no doubt about that, but he is still only 20 and there are signs he is starting to mature.
"He has put together a business plan and is learning to drive."
Judge Bury said he had no choice but to jail Humphrey immediately.
"This is the sort of offence that right-thinking members of the public are sick and tired of reading about and witnessing," he said.
"The circumstances of this offence are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be imposed for this loutish behaviour.
"You attacked a person who had no connection to you. You could have easily walked away from it."
