A yob who was high on crack cocaine punched a stranger at Bury Interchange, causing him to suffer from memory loss.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Lewis Rigby was under the influence of the class A drug when he came across Darren Clarkson at around 7.30pm on March 19 this year.

The court saw footage in which Mr Clarkson moved to his left as he came across Rigby, moving to get out of his way.

But Rigby, of Chesham Fold Road, Bury, inexplicably ran up towards him and launched a punch at him.

Mr Clarkson fell to the ground and banged his head but was helped by members of the public during the incident.

He was taken to hospital and required six stitches.

Rigby was arrested 12 days later.

When spoken to by police and shown footage, he denied being involved.

But he appeared in court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm.

Gavin Howie, prosecuting, read a couple of victim personal statements from Mr Clarkson, setting out the impact of the brutal assault.

Reading one statement, he said: "I felt I was going to die during it.

"I carry an attack alarm with me all the time, if I go into town I feel nervous.

"My memory has been affected, especially my short term memory.

"I drink to calm my nerves."

The court was told Rigby, aged 29, had committed 75 previous offences including an attack on a police officer along with other assaults.

Rachel White, defending, said: “The defendant describes himself as a child in a man’s body.

“He seems somewhat immature and underdeveloped.

“This was a short lived albeit ugly incident.”

Judge Matthew Corbett-Jones said: “Only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate punishment for what is a very serious matter.”

He jailed Rigby for 14 months.