A RUTHIN man who kicked a teacher in the head with such force it was "if he was kicking a rugby ball" has been jailed for two years.

Michael James Harrison struck 35-year-old Sebastian Hubbard so hard he is still suffering seizures more than seven months after the incident which took place in the pub garden of the Boar's Head in Ruthin on September 30 last year.

Mr Hubbard, who worked as a tutor in various children's homes before the incident, has been unable to return to his job and has had his driving licence revoked after frequent fitting.

Harrison, of Borthyn, Ruthin, was told that his actions had caused "a devastating impact" on Mr Hubbard with Judge Huw Rees calling the sentence a "substantial fall of grace" for the 25-year-old exercise referral specialist who had no previous convictions but had pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm at an earlier hearing.

At Mold Crown Court, Jo Maxwell, prosecuting, described how Harrison had been drinking at the pub with his parents and friends when he and his father went out to the beer garden at around 12:30am.

He was described as being in "high spirits" and "partaking in arm wrestling" when a friend Connor Hooley rugby tackled him to the ground and the pair started rolling on the floor.

Fearing the two were fighting, Mr Hubbard, took hold of the defendant and pulled him to his feet whereupon Harrison threw him over his shoulder and then kicked him in the face while he was lying on the ground.

Witnesses said Mr Hubbard began bleeding from his nose and head and wasunconscious when an ambulance arrived.

Harrison, who said in interview he had drunk "five or six pints", left the scene but was later arrested at around 1am by officers who found him close to his home with his parents.

The victim was taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital where he was found to have a broken nose and a bleed to the brain.

Mr Hubbard was later transferred to North Staffordshire Hospital but his condition worsened on October 2 and surgery was required.

Gareth Roberts, defending, said Harrison's actions were "far removed from this man's ordinary behaviour".

"He appreciates the massive impact his actions have had," said Mr Roberts. "He is profoundly ashamed and deeply remorseful.

"He comes from a thoroughly law abiding and productive family and is not someone who goes around getting drunk and finding himself in trouble.

"He is deeply sorry and ashamed and he wishes one day to apologize to Mr Hubbard in person for the damage inflicted."

Sentencing Harrison to two years imprisonment, Judge Rees said: "It was a short lived incident but it had a devastating effect on Mr Hubbard.

"You were certainly provoked and provoked to act out of character but youoverreacted with drink and your violence had a devastating effect on him.

"You are undoubtedly an impressive young man and there is real mitigation here but this is a substantial fall of grace for you."