A DRUG user who kicked and stamped on a defenceless man while he was lying by a road, leaving him severely disabled, has been jailed for eight years.

Terence Gibelli attacked father-of-one Kevin Blades in Murton, east Durham, leaving him blind in one eye, unable to walk, unable to sit or hold his head up unaided and with limited speech and mobility, Durham Crown Court heard.

Doctors expect Mr Blades, who is 21 and has a one-year-old daughter, to be severely disabled and say he will need care for the rest of his life.

Sentencing, Recorder Peter Makepeace said it was a vicious and sustained assault and he could not redress the “profound tragedy” or reflect the suffering caused.

He said: “This was a dreadful attack with unthinkable consequences.

“Short of killing Mr Blades, it is difficult to see how it could have been worse.”

Mr Blades was a healthy, happy and fit young man with everything to live for, the court heard.

The judge said Gibelli had robbed him of any meaningful quality of life, his daughter of his care and his devastated family of hope for the future.

Gibelli attacked Mr Blades after his father, also named Terence Gibelli, called him home from a 21st birthday party to deal with Mr Blades, who the court heard had been banging on the Gibellis’ patio door.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said that when the 23-year-old arrived, Mr Blades, who had been drinking, was lying unconscious outside.

Showing off to friends, Gibelli, who had been drinking and taking drugs, repeatedly kicked and stamped on him.

Police were called and Gibelli was arrested.

In interview, he admitted “losing it”, saying: “In the end I got on top of him and give (sic) him some.”

Mr Blades underwent emergency surgery to remove a blood cot from his brain and was placed on a life-support machine in intensive care, spending his 21st birthday in hospital.

Chris Morrison, in mitigation, said Gibelli accepted intending to cause Mr Blades serious harm and wanted to apologise.

He said Mr Blades had caused problems for Mr Gibelli previously, but that was no excuse for what happened.

The incident happened at about 10pm on July 15.

Gibelli, of Henry Street South, Murton, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He was jailed for eight years.