My life will never be the same says victim

Those were the words of a cyclist who suffered permanent brain injuries after being viciously beaten up in a brutal and unprovoked attack.

David Baker says he now feels like an old man.

The 25-year-old was mercilessly kicked and punched after he was knocked off his bike as he rode along a narrow cutway near Southampton’s Central Bridge.

After the sustained assault, which may have lasted up to ten minutes, his drunken attackers strolled away without a care in the world, leaving him in a bloodied heap.

He was left with a severe head injury and bleeding around the brain. He needed emergency surgery at Southampton General Hospital where he spent more than a fortnight in intensive care.

The full impact of his injuries were revealed at the city crown court when John Smith, 27, and teen mum Stephanie Hill, 19, were jailed for causing him grievous bodily harm with intent and the theft of beer from a shop.

Recorder Stewart Patterson branded Smith, of Tamella Road, Botley, a danger to the public and said he would not be released from jail until he has served at least four years behind bars and had his case considered by the Parole Board. The court had heard that Smith was on crack cocaine at the time of the attack.

Hill, of Lydgate Green, Southampton, was jailed for four years.

The judge, who heard both were on bail for other offences when they launched the vicious assault on Mr Baker, told the pair they had committed “a cowardly and vicious attack”

and had to bear responsibility for the terrible injuries he had suffered.

In a statement, Mr Baker said he still had no recollection of the attack, which had forced him to move into a ground floor flat and left him needing constant supervision.

He said: “I am unable to go shopping and my mother has to take me. My mother has effectively become my carer. I consider it is unlikely that I will ever be able to do full time work or ride a cycle again.

“The injuries have left me feeling like an old man. I feel very angry. I lost eight months of my life by being in hospital. I feel angry I have been left with a lifelong brain injury and my life will never be the same again. I find it humiliating to have to ask for help to do things which before I could normally do myself.”

His mother, solicitor Jane Hiatt said: “The outcome of this mindless attack on David and the effect it has had on the rest of the family is devastating. What David has lost is insurmountable.”

After the hearing, Detective Inspector Gary Towse said he hoped Hill and Smith would reflect on the permanent injuries they had inflicted