But the family of Chris Little say the 30-month sentence faced by Dean Wheeler is nothing compared to what he has been put through.

The 42-year-old is still in a coma more than a month after being punched by Wheeler outside the Red Lion pub in West Street, Portchester.

The pair had been bickering throughout the day and Wheeler, 32, had told a friend he wanted to hit Mr Little, and then carried out the threat.

Wheeler, who has a history of violence dating back to 1990, was sent to prison yesterday.

Mr Little's sister, Carol Screen, 46, said: 'He'll go to prison and then come out and get on with his life, but my brother will never recover properly.

'I can't even bear to see Chris at the moment, he's not the brother I know any more. I just find it so hard to see him like that and it's heartbreaking to hear his little son Archie asking when his dad's going to be coming home. He's only three.

'The whole thing is just one big nightmare.'

Chris's brother, John Little, 43, added: 'He seems to have got off very lightly while Chris's life has been ruined.'

The attack happened on Saturday, April 12. Mr Little, of Ludlow Road, Paulsgrove, and Wheeler, of no fixed address, had been drinking in various pubs together. They ended up in the Red Lion to watch the Pompey v Newcastle match.

But before the game had even started, Wheeler punched Mr Little outside the pub and left him lying unconscious in the street. A passing doctor found him and tried to bring him round while an ambulance rushed to the scene.

Wheeler later handed himself in to police and has since said he is ashamed and sorry for the attack.

Recorder Lucinda Davis at Portsmouth Crown Court said she would take into account his remorse but talking about Mr Little added: 'He's quite unlikely to be the man he was. His life and that of his family have been effectively ruined.'

Wheeler was sentenced to 30 months. He will also be on a three-year licence when he's released.

rachel.hine@thenews.co.uk