Adam Saunders, 28, has been left with a major and permanent disability after being laid out 'like a star fish' in the car park of Driffield Methodist Church while following his brother Daniel Saunders into a car park, Hull Crown Court heard.

Mr Saunders was taken to the intensive care unit at Hull Royal Infirmary where neuro-surgeons confirmed that he had serious brain injuries.

The court was told how Matthew Jarvis, 25, of the Chase, Driffield, allegedly punched Mr Saunders.

Mr Jarvis has denied causing grievous bodily harm.

Opening the prosecution case, Crown barrister Andrew Dallas said Mr Saunders was unlawfully attacked near Market Place on February 17 after a night out with his brother drinking in Hooters – Driffield's only nightclub.

Mr Dallas said Mr Jarvis had told police he had been on a nine-hour drinking session in Driffield downing seven or eight pints of lager in pubs, followed by three or four Jack Daniels and a soft drink in the club.

Mr Dallas said he told police he was drunk and had tried to act the role of peacemaker as a scuffle broke out. There had been an earlier row over spilt chips.

Mr Dallas told the jury: "Matthew Jarvis accepts in interview that it was his actions that caused Adam Saunders to go to the ground. The issue you may think is a narrow one. What was it that caused Adam Saunders to fall?"

"Was it a push to Adam Sanders, who like all the others had been drinking that night. Or was it a punch to the face? We don't suggest for a moment that Matthew Jarvis intended to cause these injuries.

"If he did he would be facing far more serious charges. He may have thought two on to one was not fair and taken out the second one. As we know it had terrible consequences."

Mr Dallas said Adam Saunders was so badly injured he could not give evidence in the case. He said at one stage his heart stopped and needed re-starting as he lay in hospital.

"Following the immediate crisis his condition stabilised. He is still in hospital, at best confined to a wheelchair, barely able to communicate."

He said it was the Crown's case that Matthew Jarvis had punched Adam Saunders causing bruising and obvious swelling to his upper lip. Mr Dallas said no witnesses claim to have seen a punch, but a pathologist had concluded Adam Saunders' fall had been consistent with a single blow to the face.

Mr Dallas said Mr Jarvis was seen on CCTV leaving the scene with his head in his hands. He said he had left Adam Saunders mumbling with a serious injury to the back of his head laid out like a star fish with blood coming from his mouth.

"He was ignoring calls, walking away, leaving a man who was lying on the car park," said Mr Dallas.
"He was seen to leave but was back in the area later that night."

The trial continues.