A MAN was left brain damaged after a late night attack in which a group of drunks kicked him to within an inch of his life.David Miller was punched to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked outside the Abbey bank in Sudbury town centre.

A MAN was left brain damaged after a late night attack in which a group of drunks kicked him to within an inch of his life.

David Miller was punched to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked outside the Abbey bank in Sudbury town centre.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that the men continued to kick him in the head even after he became unconscious and unable to defend himself. His brother, Brian, was also set upon by the group. One witness describing him being kicked in the head “in a manner one would kick a football”.

Members of the public, Peter Garner and Timothy Lock, tried to intervene and were also assaulted by the gang of five.

Lindsay Cox, prosecuting, said two of the assailants were Jamie Brooks, 19, of Raydon Way, Sudbury and 20-year-old Stuart Frost of Corneth Crescent, Sudbury who had been drinking in the Pied Cow pub as had the Miller brothers earlier that evening.

Mr Cox said: “Mr Lock saw a man being hit by a larger group of males. He saw him fall to the ground and being kicked by a number of men to his body, head and even his groin.

“While Mr Lock checked David Miller's pulse Brooks approached and took a big swing, kicking Mr Miller in the head”.

Mr Cox said the group then punched and kicked Mr Lock and Mr Garner. Another man, Andrew Reid, the 40-year-old step-father of Frost and also of Corneth Crescent then arrived at the scene.

Frost and Brooks, of previous good character, pleaded guilty to causing David Miller grievous bodily harm with intent on July 20 last year. Frost admitted causing Brian Miller actual bodily harm and Brooks admitting causing Mr Garner actual bodily harm.

Reid, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour.

David Miller was in a coma when he was taken to hospital and placed on a life support machine. He later spent 10 months in rehabilitation but had problems with his speech and remains “significantly impaired” due to brain damage.

Brian Miller collapsed the day after the assault and a brain scan showed some bruising but he made a full recovery.

Mr Garner suffered two broken ribs and a bruised jaw and Mr Lock left the melee uninjured.

Judge Neil McKittrick sent Brooks and Frost to a Young Offender's Institute for five years and he sentenced Reid to 80 hours unpaid work.

He said: “About the offences themselves, they are, without mincing my words, an absolute disgrace to you”.

He said the attack was mainly the result of Brooks and Frost consuming huge amounts of alcohol. At least one man involved in the attack was never charged.