Daniel Gladding, 25, from Turners Way, Burgess Hill, was on parole when he launched an unprovoked attack which left warehouse manager Faris Sheridan brain-damaged and fighting for his life.

The case, at Hove Crown Court, has sparked calls for a review of parole procedures.

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall, described the assault as a "gratuitous and vile act of thuggery".

Mr Sheridan, 32, of Homesdale Road, Burgess Hill, was walking home after a night out with friends Ian Hayward, 33, and Kevin Brazier, 34.

They were on their way back with a takeaway pizza when they were attacked by labourer Gladding and his carpet fitter friend Luke Boughey, 20.

Gladding and Boughey, who had both been drinking, appeared from behind a bush in Queens Crescent.

The court heard how Boughey, from West Street, Burgess Hill, hit both Ian and Kevin while Gladding floored Faris Sheridan with a blow so powerful that it perforated his eardrum.

Faris hit his head on the pavement as he fell and suffered crippling injuries.

He was rushed to the intensive care unit of the Princess Royal Hospital Hospital, Hawyards Heath, where surgeons operated to remove a blood clot on his brain.

His life hung in the balance for several days before his condition stabilised.

When Faris came round, it was found he had been paralysed down one side and was unable to talk. Doctors have since told him he may never fully recover from the attack in September last year.

Both men denied assault charges, arguing they were acting in self-defence.

But a jury convicted Gladding of assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm by a majority verdict of 10 to 1.

Their verdict was unanimous against Boughey, who was found guilty of two charges of committing actual bodily harm.

The court heard Gladding had 23 previous convictions, several of which were for violent offences, including an attack on a friend.

Boughey, whose attack on Ian Hayward and Kevin Brazier left one with a broken tooth and both with cuts and bruising, had 22 previous convictions.

Sentencing Gladding to seven years and Boughey to 18 months in a young offenders' institution, Judge Anthony Scott-Gall branded them drunken louts.

He said: "You have been convicted on the clearest of evidence of a gratuitous and vile act of thuggery.

"Three utterly decent, hard-working men were going home when they had the gross misfortune to come across you.

"Neither of you showed a flicker of remorse for what you were engaged in doing."

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