A man was left with a bleed on the brain after he was punched and hit his head.

He was going home after a night out when he was punched twice by Vinnie Holdsworth, who was walking with a group of people.

The man, who had his hands in his pockets before being struck, fell backwards and hit his head with such force that it left him with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain.

He awoke in hospital, unable to recall what had happened during the incident in Uckfield town centre on February 5, 2023.

In his victim impact statement he said Holdsworth carried out a “senseless and cowardly act”.

Nearly 18 months after the assault he has still not been able to return to work.

Holdsworth, a plumber of Linden Chase, Uckfield, appeared for sentencing at Lewes Crown Court on May 31.

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The 20-year-old admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, under Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act.

Holdsworth was sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work as part of a two-year suspended prison sentence and was put under a ten-year restraining order not to contact the victim.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Amy Summers said: “Holdsworth carried out an appalling assault on the victim who was not able to defend himself.

“The victim has had to contend with a severe brain injury that continues to have lasting consequences.

"Holdsworth sent messages to his friend after the incident, stating he thought he had broken his hand and discussing whether to tell the police.

“Through our investigation we were able to show Holdsworth had punched the victim twice without any provocation or explanation.

“So we were determined to get justice. When the evidence was brought to court, Holdsworth had no choice but to plead guilty.”