Attack victim Stephen Prince was in such fear for his life he leapt onto Metro tracks to try to escape, but even there the violence continued.
Prince had encountered David Johnson after the victim had been out drinking in Whitley Bay and what began as a friendly exchange suddenly turned violent over a grievance. A court heard the victim was left fearing for his life during the sustained attack.
As he sought to jump onto the train tracks in desperation, Johnson pushed him causing him to land awkwardly and suffer further serious injuries. Now the 34-year-old, of Trevelyan Close, Shiremoor, North Tyneside, has been jailed for GBH at Newcastle Crown Court.
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The court heard Mr Prince had known Johnson for 15 years and believed they were on good terms and when they spoke everything seemed fine initially and he went to shake his hand. But Robin Turton, prosecuting, said: "Suddenly his behaviour changed and he punched him powerfully to the face, knocking him backwards before striking him again to the head and grabbing his throat and trying to punch him to the head.
"The blows were unexpected. He was looking at his hand when he was suddenly punched. He had him against a wall, repeatedly punching him.
"Mr Prince feared for his life. He thought the only thing he could do was jump off the platform to try to get away. The defendant pushed him as he tried to jump, causing him to fall awkwardly.
"The defendant then jumped down and there were a series of powerful blows as he lay on the ground, six to eight punches. His head banged against stones under the railway track and against the track itself. He kicked him forcefully to the body, such that he overbalanced and fell over.
"The victim crawled to the other side of the tracks, where he collapsed on the platform. The defendant ran across the tracks before assaulting him one final time."
The victim was left with his left eye completely shut, had lacerations to his arm and scalp, a fracture to his nose, a fractured heel and a fractured ankle. He said in a victim impact statement: "I've always seen David as a good friend and I'm totally shocked by what happened. I was in constant pain and had to move out of my house to be cared for elsewhere.
"I thought I was going to die and took the option to go on the Metro line because I thought he was going to kill me. If my friend had not been there I would be dead. I will have arthritis for the rest of my life and find it difficult walking on uneven ground."
Johnson, who was cautioned for GBH in 2010, pleaded guilty to GBH and was jailed for 20 months and given a restraining order.
Shaun Routledge, defending, said there was a grievance behind the attack but it was not aired in court. He added: "His behaviour was appalling but the first thing he did was call 999 and he waited for the police to arrest him. He is appalled by the footage."
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