A MAN suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed when he was punched to the ground outside an Egremont pub.‬

‪However, Carlisle Crown Court heard that the victim, Ryan Williams, had actually instigated trouble which resulted in Sellafield worker Jack Ward retaliating and injuring him on the night of July 12 last year.‬

‪The court heard that Ward, 26, had consumed several pints at the Central pub by the time Mr Williams entered, and that he was “apparently drunk and verbally aggressive towards other patrons”.‬

‪Despite accepting a drink bought by Ward, Mr Williams was not placated.

Ward left the pub but, while waiting for a friend, “noticeably larger” Mr Williams emerged in a “fighting posture”.

His pushes, grabs and a headbutt were met with defensive punches by Ward.‬

‪The pair separated. But a short time later, as Ward waited for a taxi, Mr Williams again approached aggressively.‬

‪Paul Dockery, prosecuting, said: “The defendant accepts that rather than walking away as he could have done, he did not and accepts that he punched Mr Williams twice to the head.‬

‪“The second punch propelled the complainant to the ground where he sustained the traumatic injury when his head hit the hard surface of the road.‬”

CCTV showed Mr Williams running away when he was hit for the second time.

Mr Dockery added: “The defendant stayed with the unconscious Mr Williams as he lay in the road to ensure he was breathing until staff from nearby pubs came to his aid.”

A CT scan later revealed bleeding to the extradural and subdural areas of the brain, and a skull fracture “from the back of the head around to the eye socket”.

He was discharged from hospital as there were “no ongoing concerns regarding his recovery”.

A man of previous good character, Ward, of Croftlands, Bigrigg, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm.‬

Kim Whittlestone, defending, said character references attested to his “impeccable” work record, and described him as usually conscientious, affable, quiet and courteous.

“He bitterly regrets reacting as he has always accepted he did,” said Miss Whittlestone.

“He is a young man who is prepared, given his remorse, to comply with any order the court seems fit to avoid the necessity of a custodial sentence.”

Recorder David Temkin imposed a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years.

Ward must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £400 costs.