A FORMER student from Colchester has been jailed for 18 months for punching a man in the face and partially blinding him.

Mark Hill was out celebrating the end of his university year in Plymouth when he viciously attacked his victim.

Hill, 23, initially denied causing grievous bodily harm without intent, but changed his plea on the day his trial was due to start at Plymouth Crown Court.

Hill and friends were out celebrating on May 23 last year, when they were involved in a confrontation with a group in fancy dress.

Daniel Thornton, 22, was dressed as a pirate and desperately tried to calm the situation.

Hill, who after leaving university got a job as a Network Rail electrical engineer, ran across the road and punched Mr Thornton in the face.

He suffered a fractured eye socket and cheekbone, and permanent damage to the retina.

As a result, he will be partially blind for the rest of his life and has had to give up plans to join the police force.

Hill’s lawyer, Malcolm Clarke, told the court the incident had been completely out of character for Hill, who did not usually drink and had not been in trouble before.

Jailing him for 18 months, Recorder Ian Pringle QC, said: “This was a most serious assault with lifelong consequences, and all because of one punch.

“When people go out and get drunk, the consequences can be dreadful.”