A THUG who left a man in a coma after going on a booze and steroid-fuelled rampage in Colchester town centre has been jailed for 11 years.

Alexander Hunter, 21, knocked Jonny Smith unconscious when he hit him with a bottle early on New Year's Day in St Botolph’s Street, Colchester.

Mr Smith, 25, a landscaper and dad-of-one, was in a coma for weeks and is still recovering from the severe skull fractures.

Hunter, of Point Clear, initially denied the attack, but on the second day of his trial at Ipswich Crown Court he changed his plea.

At the same court this morning, he was jailed for 11 years.

For a special report, see Tuesday's Gazette