A VICIOUS Rowley Regis thug fractured a man's skull during a beating which was sparked by a row over noise in Halesowen.

Jack Sutton's victim Luke Brittain also suffered bleeding on the brain and now has restricted hearing, taste, a stammer and is unsteady on his feet.

The 26-year-old unemployed roofer was been put behind bars for 18 months at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Judge Helen Hughes said: “A young man having an enjoyable night out with friends ended up in a neurosurgical unit with life changing injuries after your unprovoked attack.

“I understand you were upset by people making a noise outside the property in which you were living at the time but you just could not control yourself.”

The Judge added: “I take into account the efforts you have been making to address your difficulties and you are to be commended.

"But I would be failing in my public duty if I did not send you to prison immediately.”

Sutton, of Siviters Close, admitted wounding Mr Brittain who had to be rushed to hospital for emergency surgery following the incident

David Swinnerton prosecuting said Mr Brittain was with friends when they gathered outside one of their homes after an evening out and their noise disturbed Sutton and his partner who called on the group to keep quiet.

The young men quickly apologised in an attempt to calm down the situation and they went inside but the angry Sutton was waiting when Mr Brittain left moments later.

Sutton blocked his path and punched him hard once in the face knocking him to the ground and there was an “audible thud” as his head hit the pavement with Sutton being dragged away from the scene by his partner.

Miss Amrisha Parathalingham defending told Wolverhampton Crown Court that Sutton had drug and alcohol problems and his family had paid out many thousands of pounds for private treatment to resolve his troubles.