A 27-year-old violent alcoholic who fractured his victim's skull with a single punch in an unprovoked drunken attack has been sent to prison.

Luke Pegg of Midland Road, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to wounding Omar Ahmed causing him grievous bodily harm on January 1, this year in Nettleton Road, Gloucester.

He also pleaded guilty at Gloucester crown court to three other assaults in Eastgate Street, Gloucester on December 1, last year.

The court heard that Pegg was on bail for the December offences when he committed the New Year's Day attack.

Prosecuting barrister Caighli Taylor told Gloucester Crown Court: "The defendant had been out drinking on Saturday afternoon with a friend and he was walking down Nettleton Road when he encountered Omar Ahmed.

"He stood in front of Mr Ahmed and punched him once in the face," said the barrister.

"Mr Ahmed fell straight to the ground and had been knocked unconscious immediately."

The court heard that Mr Ahmed had fractured his skull and suffered bleeding on the brain as a result of the punch and was transferred to intensive care at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

"He was in an induced coma for 20 days before being sent back to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. He was not discharged home until February 21," the prosecutor said.

She read out a victim impact statement in which Mr Ahmed said that he had lost weeks of his life, suffered constant headaches, struggled with balance and could no longer work.

"I came to this country from Sudan to lead a safer, better life but now I am scared to be in Gloucester," he stated.

Pegg has convictions for 48 offences including assault, wounding and robbery, the court heard.

Referring to the first incident on December 1 in Eastgate Street, Gloucester, Ms Taylor said: "The defendant approached a couple and told the woman that he was not afraid to punch her partner.

"He then punched the man - Michael Hall - in the neck and then punched a Chris Cook, who had intervened.

The police were called and Pegg was arrested and put into a police van, the court was told.

"But he became aggressive and kicked one of the police officers whilst in the van," said Ms Taylor.

Pegg pleded guilty to the three assaults and also to the wounding charge.

Defending lawyer Matthew Harbison said: "My client realises the seriousness of his violent offences which were committed while he was under the influence of alcohol.

"He is ashamed and upset and he is a very different animal when he is sober.

"But he is an alcoholic and wants help with his addiction."

Sentencing Pegg to 22 months in custody, His Honour Judge Paul Cook told him: "Your drunken and violent behaviour during the first incident included kicking a police officer who was only trying to do his job.

"And on January 1, for no apparent reason, you punched your victim, he fell to the ground unconscious and you walked away. The man you punched was in intensive care for three weeks and is still suffering from that punch.

"I accept that you bitterly regret what you did."