'Paralytic' Kings Langley man jailed for 18 months after assault over queue-jumping row at Watford Junction

Taylor, 24, from Waterside, Kings Langley, caused Vincent Hill a mini-stroke with the blow, which knocked him to the ground, St Albans crown court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Neil King told St Albans crown that Mr Hill, whose wife had recently died, confronted Taylor who had got off a train from Euston after a night out in London.

Taylor told him: "I don't give a toss you .... " He threw one punch that missed, but a second struck Mr Hill, 40, who fell to the ground bleeding.

At first Taylor told Mr Hill he should get up, but he realised he was badly hurt and put his coat over him.

He remained at the scene for the police to arrive, telling them: "I am the man you are looking for. I hit him."

When interviewed by the police, Taylor said he was "hammered".

Mr Hill suffered chipped teeth, and bruising and swelling to the face. He had bleeding to the brain and was taken to the stroke ward, where he stayed for four days.

The prosecutor said Mr Hill still suffers numbness to the face, dizziness and anxiety. His £460 glasses were also broken.

Taylor pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily in the early hours of December 14 last year. He had 10 previous convictions for 19 offences, including causing GBH and actual bodily harm.

Gordon Carse, defending, said Taylor was a troubled young man who had lost his father three years ago. He said he had formed a new relationship and had referred himself for help with his drinking. He asked the judge to pass a suspended sentence.

But Judge Andrew Bright QC said the offence was so serious he had to go straight to prison.

He told him: "You got paralytic on a night out. Your behaviour was boorish and violent, causing Mr Hill very serious injuries. You were arrogant and thought you could do what you wanted.

"You struck a blow which put Mr Hill in hospital for four days, suffering from a mini-stroke. This was not an isolated incident, you get into trouble in drink."