VIOLENT thug Dean Wheeler is today behind bars for the pre-meditated attack that left a Hampshire father-of-three in a coma.

More than a month after the assault, outside a Fareham pub on April 12, 42-year-old Chris Little is still in hospital receiving treatment for the head injury.

He has received several emergency operations at the Wessex Neurological Unit at Southampton General Hospital, and doctors believe he will never fully recover from his injuries. Portsmouth Crown Court heard Wheeler, 32, of no fixed abode, had spent the day drinking with Mr Little.

Prosecutor Mike Spicer said the pair had spent much of the time together bickering and exchanging insults, which became more serious as they made their way to the Red Lion pub in Portchester.

He told the court Wheeler, who only days earlier had the threat of a jail sentence for another assault lifted with the end of the suspended period, had become so aggravated he decided to resort to violence.

"Out of the blue he punched Mr Little on the jaw knocking him straight down onto the ground. Mr Little was knocked out cold."

Judge Recorder Lucinda Davis sentenced Wheeler to 30 months. He will serve 15 months, minus 29 days already spent in custody, but on release will then be the subject of an extended three-year licence.