A man who left his sister’s partner with devastating life-changing injuries after attacking him while he lay sleeping was put behind bars for 32 months.

Richard Evans’ victim, 29-year-old Craig Martin, who has a genetic heart condition, suffered cardiac arrest after the attack and as he was unconscious for 45 minutes his brain starved of oxygen meaning he now needs round-the-clock care.

His mum Dorothy Bowers and brother, Stephen, who are now his carers, described the situation “as a living nightmare.”

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday that 31-year-old Evans has been working as a stable groom for world-famous horse trainer Richard Hannon in Wiltshire since the attack and he appeared in the dock wearing a jacket bearing the stables logo.

Evans, known as Dave, and Craig had been friends for ten years though sometimes there was antipathy and he had assaulted Craig about five years earlier knocking out his teeth.

About 8am, on March 22 last year, Evans arrived at Mrs Bowers home in Gainsborough Road, Wallasey, following a minor dispute with other family members on Facebook in which Evans believed Craig had become involved.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said that Craig was sleeping on the settee and Evans, who has trained at an army boxing boot camp, set on him and punched him about eight times before his mum, hearing the commotion, came into the room.

Evans left and an ambulance was called as the victim was struggling to breathe and his mum and brother gave him CPR until paramedics arrived.

He was rushed to hospital where he was eventually revived and kept in intensive care for seven days.

He has been left with neurological damage involving visual, cognitive and memory problems.

He underwent surgery to have a defibrillator inserted in his chest and is at increased risk of sudden cardiac death.

“He remains unable to perform daily tasks without being prompted to do so, is unable to initiate things for himself and he has difficulty making choices,” said Mr Hussey.

He becomes frustrated and angry, can no longer care for his three children and it is feared he may never be able to live independently. As Evans is the partner of the victim’s sister the family has now become split, said Mr Hussey.

His brother Stephen said in a statement: “Part of Craig died that day.” 

He said his brother was no longer the same person enjoying the things he used to. “It is soul destroying…I want my brother back.”

Evans, formerly of Challis Street, Birkenhead, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.

Brendan Carville, defending, said Evans, who has convictions for dishonesty, was remorseful. “He has to live with the fact he has caused a life-changing injury.

“It is very sad circumstances, they were once friends.”

Jailing Evans, a father-of-three, Judge Graham Morrow, QC, who read a reference from trainer Richard Hannon, said he hoped he had learnt his lesson and will walk away from violence in future.

“Your mindless action could have easily led to fatal consequences,” he said.