A MAN was left with life-changing injuries after his head was repeatedly stamped on after violence erupted during a drinking session, a jury was told.

Peter Cole will be dependent on carers for the rest of his days after being attacked at a flat in Newport by Jay Kent, prosecutor John Ryan said.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how the defendant left the alleged victim reliant on a ventilator for more than a month after punching, kicking and stamping on his face and head.

Mr Ryan said Mr Cole suffered swelling to his brain, facial fractures and missing teeth and that his life-expectancy has been shortened.

He told the jury: "It is unlikely he will make a complete recovery. He will be dependent on carers for the rest of his life."

The prosecution alleges that after knocking this complainant unconscious, Kent attacked another man, Jason Pearce, by throwing a glass at him which hit him in the mouth and shattered.

The jury heard the defendant then “resumed kicking” Mr Cole. Mr Ryan said: “He realised the gravity of the situation. He said, ‘Oh my God. I think I have killed him.’”

Kent, aged 36, of no fixed abode, denies wounding the complainant with intent on October 20, 2018 at Tewkesbury Walk.

He has also pleaded not guilty to causing assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Mr Pearce.

Mr Ryan said Mr Pearce died on March 12 this year but that was “unconnected with any assault upon him”.

The jury were told that Kent, Mr Cole and Mr Pearce had been drinking alcohol at the home of Catherine Bull in Tewkesbury Walk last October and that diazepam had also been taken.

Mr Ryan told Cardiff Crown Court how a fight had broken out between Kent and Mr Cole.

He said: “The defendant had him by the throat and started kicking and stamping on his head, rendering him unconscious. He was shouting, ‘I’m going to kill you.’

“Mr Pearce told Miss Bull to call the police. The defendant threw a glass at him which hit him in his mouth and shattered.”

Judge David Wynn Morgan and the jury heard how the prosecution claim Kent then went back to resume his attack on Mr Cole.

Mr Ryan said: “He reiterated that he thought he had killed Mr Cole. He said he had stamped all over his face.”

The trial is expected to last four to five days.

Proceeding.