A raging father almost killed a man with a single punch - forcing him to use a wheelchair due to his injuries.

Paul Burrows launched the attack in Broadstairs with such force, his victim's head cracked open on concrete, causing his brain to haemorrhage.

A judge told the 42-year-old he was “extremely lucky” not to have killed Kier Griffiths during the horrifying assault.

Burrows, of Erith, was jailed for 22 months at Canterbury Crown Court today.

Meanwhile, Mr Griffith is waiting to undergo intensive surgery and is likely to be left with permanent hearing loss.

The court heard on the night of the attack, Burrows had made aggressive phone calls to his partner, who was drinking with Mr Griffiths and his girlfriend at their home.

Armed with a hammer, Burrows soon appeared outside the house in the early hours and levelled threats towards Mr Griffiths, the court was told.

“The victim said ‘look mate, there is no need for weapons, let’s sort it out and talk it out,’” prosecutor Emily Lauchlan said.

After dropping the weapon, Burrows punched Mr Griffiths with such force that he fell backwards, cracked open his skull and fell unconscious.

Believing her bleeding boyfriend was dead, Mr Griffith’s partner performed CPR while Burrows placed him in the recovery position, the court heard.

Following a 999 call Mr Griffiths was rushed to London’s King's College Hospital where the devastating extent of his injuries was revealed.

Alongside a fractured skull and bruising to the surface of the brain, he also suffered a brain haemorrhage, a CT scan showed.

Mr Griffith’s most serious injuries would take nine days in hospital to treat, while his severe hearing loss and balance issues persisted.

Sometimes requiring a walking stick and wheelchair to manoeuvre, Mr Griffiths continues to wait for surgery and hearing aids, the court heard.

Persistent pain, coupled with strong medication, has left Mr Griffiths “in a daze” and “barely able to think straight,” he told the court.

Subsequent hearing loss and “significantly impacted” balance has forced him out of work, with his partner acting, in part, as a carer.

Following his arrest Burrows acted “aggressive and belligerently” during the police interview, Ms Lauchlin explained.

But he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at an early opportunity, the court heard.

Judge Catherine Brown told Burrows he showed “limited remorse and insight” following the attack on August 27, 2022.

She stressed his violence “simply can’t be tolerated in a civilised society,” adding: “You are extremely lucky that he did not die.”

“Punching someone with that force, so they fall to the ground and crack their head on the concrete, could have ended easily with you being charged with manslaughter.”

Burrows was also handed a five-year restraining order, and told to pay £5,000 compensation within two years and £535 costs.

Burrows, of Alford Road, was sober and tended to his victim when the extent of his injuries became clear, Keiran Brand said in mitigation.

He said Burrows has a “strong work ethic” and was due to train colleagues in Turkey in June on thermal hydrolysis plant systems, such as for sewage treatment.