A man has been jailed for more than six years for a sickening assault that almost cost the victim his life.

Bertrand Sisk, felled a man with one punch, causing a near-death brain injury.

Sisk, 28, of Acrise near Folkestone, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Woolwich Crown Court.

He had pleaded guilty to possessing a Class A drug and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on a woman who he also hurt.

He was sentenced to six years and six months' imprisonment yesterday. May 5

Sisk and the victim, also aged 28, had met for pre-drinks in the hours before they went to a nightclub in The Broadway, Bexleyheath, south London, for a mutual friend's birthday party in December 2019.

Sisk became increasingly drunk and aggressive through the evening and was ejected by venue staff. He waited in the street and sent text messages to friends inside, urging the victim to come outside.

When the victim left the venue with his partner and her sister at around 1.30pm, Sisk approached and put his arm around him.

He then inflicted a single punch that felled the victim, causing him to strike his head on the ground.

Sisk then punched the victim's partner's sister, who had tried to intervene, before running away.

The injured man was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered a fractured skull and a traumatic brain injury from which he was not expected to recover.

His family were told to prepare for the worst.

But in the following days the victim began to show signs of response.

He spent several months in hospital, learning to speak, walk and eat again, and still continues to undergo intensive cognitive and physical rehabilitation due to the level of brain injury.

Sisk was arrested at an address close to the scene.

He was also found in possession of a quantity of Class A drugs and was remanded in custody.

"The victim's family braced themselves to say goodbye..."

Det Insp Jason Fitzpatrick, from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Command, said: "The victim's chance of survival at one point was considered to be less than 1% - that is how close he came to death.

"His family raced to scene and followed to hospital when they were informed of what happened and had braced themselves to say goodbye to him.

"But for the expertise and care of medical staff, and sheer fortune, this could have been a very different investigation.

"I would like to thank both the victim and his family, who have supported us so well during the course of our investigation, and through the court. I hope this sentencing gives them some source of comfort as they continue his recovery.

"Sisk had no reason at all to attack the victim and his partner's sister as he did, and will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars."

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