These shocking images of a single punch attack were released today, showing the victim with "half his head missing".
Just one needless, devastating blow shattered Jamie Kelly's life - leaving him with horrific injuries, a court heard.
The attack by Daniel Johnson, 32, at a pedestrian crossing in mid-afternoon was captured on camera.
And Jamie's family have released shocking images of his injuries after surgeons battled to save his life as a warning of the damage a single punch attack can do.
The 41-year-old had the left side of his skull taken away to alleviate the pressure of a bleed on the brain which would otherwise have killed him.
The surgery at Hull Royal Infirmary saved Jamie's life following the attack in the centre of Scarborough, North Yorks., at 1.28pm on September 16, 2021, as passers-by looked on in horror.
It's left Jamie, from Scarborough, with a mountain to climb if he's ever to lead a normal life and he's currently in a brain injury rehabilitation unit. Johnson, also from Scarborough, was sentenced to two years and five months in jail today at York Crown Court after he admitted causing grievous bodily harm.
In a victim personal statement, Jamie's mother Brenda, from Spennymoor, Co Durham, said: "When I look at my son what I should see, what I want to see, is a strong, fit, happy independent 41-year-old man.
“But all I do see, due to a violent punch that Daniel Johnson inflicted on him, is a shell of a man. A man who has to drink from a non-spill sippy cup, who needs help eating because of tremors wrack his entire body. He can't go to the toilet or shower himself.
“My son needs to learn to walk again because Daniel Johnson decided he would punch him, obviously intending to hurt him. Jamie has so many mountains to climb due to medical issues caused by Daniel Johnson.
“What our family has gone through, and is still going through, is senseless. This is all because one so-called man thought that violence was OK.
“Does Daniel Johnson realise that his actions alone have ensured my son has life-limiting injuries? Jamie needs justice, I need justice, my family needs justice.
“One punch - that's all it took to destroy my boy’s life as he knew it.”
Jamie's dad Michael Kelly, who drove 9,000 miles to see his son in a long period of hospital visits, told the court: "I feel that everyone should be made aware of exactly where Jamie is in his struggle for recovery. Jamie still cannot get out of bed and into the wheelchair by himself.
“He still cannot dress or shower himself and go to the toilet himself.
"It is very hard to accept Jamie as he is a proud man and desperate for independence. The injury to Jamie’s brain has resulted in his body being racked with severe shakes, so much so that he cannot feed himself without his meal being thrown off the fork or spoon.
“I have also had to purchase special cups to allow Jamie to have a drink without soaking his clothes. At times Jamie gets very confused. His eyes have been severely affected and are now in the corner of the eye socket.
“Jamie is not able to focus on anything and is now suffering severe double vision. His skull flap has still not been replaced and doctors can’t say when it can be fitted.
“It is also possible that it can’t be replaced, and he might have to have a titanium plate fitted instead. With no skull flap to hold it, Jamie’s scalp has dropped that much half of his head is missing. He now has to wear a special padded cap whenever he is moved."
Detective Constable Peter Day, of Scarborough and Ryedale CID, led the inquiry into the assault and has provided support to Jamie’s parents throughout this ordeal.
He said: “This has been a truly horrendous experience for Jamie and especially for his parents who thought they were going to lose their son. No outcome at court will undo the devastation that Johnson caused with one punch.
“The victims' personal statements of Jamie’s parents were read out in court during the sentencing. Brenda and Michael have given their blessing for North Yorkshire Police to publish the statements on the force website and on social media to show the full catastrophic impact this one-punch attack has had.
“I urge people to read them and make sure younger members of the family learn from this case.”
