A heartbroken mother has told how her son is like “a little lost soul” after he suffered a devastating brain injury in a drunken fight.

Ashley Mansell was left fighting for his life after his skull was fractured and his brain began to swell.

Doctors were forced to put him into a medical coma for ten days after the attack in Victoria Park, Portslade.

Mr Mansell, 29, now cannot walk more than 100m before needing a wheelchair, Hove Crown Court was told yesterday.

His mother Maureen said: “He is like a little lost soul now.

“He stands for hours just staring, playing with taps or looking out of the window.

It is difficult to have a conversation with him because he forgets what you have just said to him.”

The former road worker will need further surgery to repair his skull with a titanium plate.

James McCubbing, 25, has admitted causing Mr Mansell grievous bodily harm during the attack onMay 30 of this year.

McCubbing and another man had earlier insulted Mr Mansell’s girlfriend Zoe as theywalked past a hostel in Portslade.

The couple ignored his jibes and went to nearby Victoria Park where McCubbing and another man later joined them.

William Hughes, prosecuting, said McCubbing apologised and theyall spent the afternoon drinking together in the park.

A drunken argument followed during which McCubbing punched Mr Mansell in the face, forcing him to stagger into the road.

Mr Mansell hit his head on the road after another punch knocked him off his feet and fractured his skull.

Mr Hughes said the victim was taken to hospital but was discharged because he was drunk.

Mr Mansell went back the following daycomplaining of pain in the head and deafness in one ear.

A scan revealed he had a fractured skull and his brain was swollen.

He was transferred to Hurstwood Park neurological unit in Haywards Heath, where he had an emergency operation.

Mrs Mansell added: “Ashley still has to use a wheelchair and cannot walk more than 100m.

“His memory is now very poor and he is in an almost continuously confused state.

“He still needs speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

His recovery is going to be a very long process and we don’t yet knowwhat the final outcome will be.

“He is now very submissive, does exactly what you tell him to and does not question anything.”

The court was told Mr Mansell had an alcohol problem and suffered from dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD before the attack.

Mrs Mansell said her son’s condition had deteriorated as a result of the injuries he suffered.

Judge William Barnett adjourned sentence until October 2 for further medical reports on the effects of Mr Mansell’s injuries.

McCubbing, of George William Mews, Portslade, was remanded in custody.