A MAN who was hit over the head with a pool cue was so badly injured that doctors warned him not to sneeze because it might make his brain bleed.

Gareth Clarke, who was in a coma for three days after the attack, spent two months in hospital.

He suffered a 'life changing injury' which has left him unable to play his favourite sport, squash, a court heard.

His attacker, Shane Austin, 19, of Oatfield Road, Frampton on Severn, was jailed for four years after he admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Clarke and possessing an offensive weapon, the pool cue.

He also admitted assaulting another man, Jamie Burrows, causing him actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Susan Cavender told the court Austin had been at a snooker bar with his girlfriend when she became involved in an argument outside with Mr Clarke and Mr Burrows.

"When Mr Austin came out he thought they were being offensive towards her," Mrs Cavender said.

"Mr Austin went back inside the bar and emerged with a pool cue."

While Mr Burrows had admitted to throwing the first punch, he said it was in self defence, Mrs Cavender continued.

Austin struck Mr Burrows in the back and head, causing two lacerations to his head and ear.

Mr Clarke suffered a fracture to the back and top of his skull, causing internal bleeding.

The injury was so serious that doctors warned him against sneezing for fear that it would re-start the bleeding in his brain.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Clarke said he had been exhausted since being released from hospital.

"I cannot play squash anymore and I used to do this three or four times a week," he said.

"Although I have now come to terms with it, it has been a life-changing experience."

Recovery was expected to take a further six months but was expected to be a full one, he said.

Representing Austin, Steve Young said his client had not intended to fight that day.

"He has always expressed the fact that he bitterly regrets the injuries caused."

The reason Austin had a pool cue with him, Mr Young said, was because he had taken it there. "He did not go in and arm himself with it." he said.

The skull injuries had come as a result of Mr Clarke falling to the ground after being struck, Mr Young said.

Judge Martin Picton said he accepted that Austin was remorseful, having seen his behaviour in the dock.

"But what you did was still wrong," he said. "The injuries you caused were awful. You changed someone's life and he will live with the consequences all his life."

Judge Picton accepted that Austin's actions were out of character.

He sentenced Austin to four years in jail for the injuries to Mr Clarke and nine months for the other two charges to be served concurrently.

Halfway through his four year term, Austin may be released on licence, the judge said.