A KENDAL bar manager punched a man twice during an unprovoked street attack, causing injuries which turned the victim's life "upside down".

Carl Alan James Hesmondhalgh, 22, was jailed for 14 months at Carlisle Crown Court for attacking Liam McGoldrick.

In the early hours of October 28, Mr McGoldrick was stopped from entering Smokies bar by manager Hesmondhalgh after a previous alleged incident.

As the pair went outside to Highgate, CCTV captured them standing with another male and two females. As one female became "animated", Mr McGoldrick heard somebody say: "Drop him."

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson said: "It was then he was struck twice by Mr Hesmondhalgh, with force, to the head. The punches were struck with such force that Mr McGoldrick says the pain was awful. He could not initially remember being struck because of the pain.

"As he was struck that caused him to pivot on his leg. He fell to the ground in an awkward position, most of the weight being on his ankle."

CCTV showed Hesmondhalgh - said to have been affected by alcohol - calmly walking away. Mr McGoldrick remained grounded, was assisted by passers-by and an ambulance was called.

He had sustained fractures to his leg and ankle, extensive ligament damage and later underwent surgery. A residential support worker, he suffered lost earnings and detailed the huge impact of the attack on his life in a statement.

"Mentally I am not the same person I was," he stated. "I feel stripped of my dignity and independence. The man who assaulted me has turned my life upside down."

Hesmondhalgh, of Hallgarth Circle, Kendal, admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

A man of previous good character, he admitted to police he was "out of order", expressed regret and insisted he had not wished to hurt Mr McGoldrick in this way.

"This is a huge mistake," said Colette Renton, defending. "He is ashamed of himself for acting the way that he did."

Jailing Hesmondhalgh - latterly a Windermere hotel head chef - Recorder Paul Taylor concluded: "Only an immediate custodial sentence is justified by the circumstances of this offence."