A man who fractured his friend’s skull with a single “unprovoked” punch has been jailed for almost two years.

David Moore, 33, attacked the victim outside a bar in Amble, Northumberland, with the man falling and hitting his head on the road, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He then dragged his victim to the pavement and ran into the pub to get help for the stricken man, the court heard.

Father-of-five Moore admitted causing grievous bodily harm and was jailed for 21 months.

The victim was walking past Angie’s Tavern on Queen Street at around 11.30pm BST on October 12, 2023, prosecutor Matthew Hopkins said.

Moore came out of the pub, waved at the man, then punched him, knocking the victim to the floor, Mr Hopkins said.

Moore then pushed the man out of the way, ran into the pub to raise the alarm, then went to the victim’s home to get further help, the court heard.

The victim was found to have a bleed on the brain and three skull fractures, the court heard.

Mitigating, Shaun Routledge said Moore, of Straffen Court in Amble, and his victim remained friends after the attack and were “local men drinking” that night.

He said the attack was “impulsive and spontaneous” and that Moore was truly remorseful.

Advocate Judge Edward Legard said CCTV footage of the attack was made for “frightening viewing”.

He said it was “absolutely and very clearly” that the victim posed “no threat” to Moore and still punched him, knocking him immediately unconscious.

The judge said the injuries were “very serious” and “serious” but it was “extremely fortunate” they were not more devastating.

“It was an attack of unprovoked violence against a completely defenseless man,” the judge said.