A MAN whose memory lasts just 10 hours after he was punched is set to go home this week after almost a year in hospital.

John Williams's life was saved by two police officers who got his heart beating again after he was struck in the face and sustained "catastrophic" head injuries.

The Accrington man's head hit the pavement in an alcohol-fuelled attack last August and PC Dale Callaghan and PC John Wharton carried out chest compressions.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary before being transferred to a specialist head unit at the Royal Preston Hospital where part if his skull was removed.

He has been in hospital for 10 months.

Since the attack he has been receiving intensive rehabilitation and although he will go home this week, he will need a 12-month programme to help him live in the community and will suffer significant impairment for the rest of his life.

The thug who badly injured Mr Williams had a string of previous convictions and was jailed for 18 months last week.

David Young had denied a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, claiming he acted in self defence, but was convicted following trial.

The 22-year-old of Primrose Drive, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty to a charge of affray relating to an incident earlier that night, August 18.

His co-defendant in the affray, 19-year-old James Sellers, from Burton-on-Trent, had pleaded guilty to the charge and was given six months youth custody.

Mr Alex Leach, prosecuting, said it seemed the two defendants were intent on fighting and were shouting to try and intimidate.

Then a group of five to seven men, including John Williams and a Royal Marine, began to chase them down an access ramp towards Astley Gate.

The prosecution said: "Young punched him once to the head, with his fist.

"Mr Williams's head snapped backwards. He fell unconscious to the ground.

"The back of his head hit the ground and a cracking noise was heard."

Young ran off, but was caught by police in the grounds of Blackburn Cathedral after a chase.