A 20-year-old man has been jailed for seven years after an "horrendous" attack which left a teenage boy brain damaged.

Joseph Hague, of Farley Bank, Hastings, punched, kicked, and stamped on the 15-year-old as he walked home from Hastings Carnival.

The victim was left unconscious and spent two weeks on a ventilator after the attack.

Lewes Crown Court heard he still suffered from memory loss and speech problems and will never fully recover.

He had been watching fireworks and visited McDonalds restaurant in the town centre with a friend when Hague struck after being told, incorrectly, that the teenager had interfered with a female friend of his.

Hague pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Gabrielle Henty, prosecuting, said: "One witness saw the defendant push and punch the boy until he fell against a wall and to the ground.

"He watched the boy curl up with his hands around his head and Mr Hague attack him and stamp on his head.

"After a while the victim straightened out, leaving his face and head unprotected.

"The witness saw Mr Hague lift him up by hair and bang his head on the ground and then stamp on him two or three times, saying, 'That will teach you'.

"The victim suffered severe brain injury. He required artificial ventilation for two weeks and was treated for epileptic seizures.

"He continues to have problems with memory and speech and remains fragile and anxious.

"His doctor says anyone who has had a serious brain injury is never the same person again."

The court heard Hague had previous convictions for causing actual bodily harm, arson and common assault.