PROSECUTORS say a Saints fan beaten unconscious after being attacked by a gang of teenagers could easily have died from his injuries.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has issued a statement saying the crimes “could have had more serious consequences” had Jason Davis not fought for his life”.

It comes after two 16-year-olds were found guilty of the vicious attack following a trial at Southampton Youth Court.

Businessman Mr Davis, 47, was walking through Hythe when he was punched to the ground, leaving him in a coma with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo, District Judge Peter Greenfield accused the gang of acting like “a pack of jackals” after the court was shown a video of one of them laughing and dancing near Mr Davis as he lay bleeding in the road.

The assault was filmed by one of the teenagers involved in the incident and posted on social media.

The court heard Mr Davis was targeted because he was wearing a Saints shirt as he walked home on October 25 last year.

Louise Holmes, district prosecutor for CPS Wessex, said: “Supporting a football team should never put anyone’s life in danger and make you a target for abuse and violence.

“This attack left Mr Davis with life-changing injuries and it is difficult to comprehend the behaviour of these young boys.

“During their trial they tried to plead self-defence but it was clear from the evidence of the witnesses and film footage that they had goaded and antagonised Mr Davis.

“Their attack was so violent that one of the youths knocked him unconscious.

“Witnesses said his skull made a loud cracking noise when it hit the road. This same youth then danced around Mr Davis while he was on the ground. The youths showed no remorse.”

Their victim was taken to Southampton General Hospital and placed in a medically-induced coma from which he did not awake until November 10.

Ms Holmes added: “There is no excuse for what these young people did.

“We hope they will understand the seriousness and gravity of their crimes, which could have had more serious consequences had he not fought for his life.”

She spoke out after a 16-year-old from Hythe was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm and a Totton boy the same age was convicted of assault.

The pair, who had both denied the allegations, are due to be sentenced on September 1.

A 15-year-old from Hythe admitted a public order offence and on July 13 was handed a two-year youth rehabilitation order, including a curfew and temporary exclusion from Hythe village centre. None of the teenagers can be named for legal reasons.