A man was left with life-changing brain injuries after being knocked unconscious by an “irate” driver moments after throwing a glass object at his car, a jury has heard.
Mark Hughes suffered “long-term cognitive and physical impairments to a severe degree” after the punch from caused him to fall and hit his head on the pavement.
Buster Lakey, a 28-year-old railway engineer from Margate, was later arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
His trial started this week at Canterbury Crown Court, where prosecutor Alexa Le Moine told jurors the incident happened in Ramsgate shortly after 9pm on November 4, 2022.
“Mark Hughes was walking down King Street – he had left the pub with a friend and ended up on the corner of Boundary Road,” she said.
“Mr Lakey was driving, and Mr Hughes throws a glass object at Mr Lakey’s car as it goes past.”
CCTV played in court showed Lakey, of Manston Road, stopping his vehicle, getting out and confronting Mr Hughes.
The prosecutor said he pushed and kicked him before the victim tried to apologise.
But instead of backing down, Lakey allegedly launched into a foul-mouthed tirade, telling him “Like that makes a f***ing difference, you f***ing daft ****”, before throwing one final life-changing left hook.
“The punch renders Mr Hughes unconscious, and his head hitting the pavement is what causes the injury,” Ms Le Moine told the jury.
“Mr Lakey began acting in self-defence, and then took the final punch, which he accepts was not in self-defence.
“In that moment, the only intention Mr Lakey could have had was to cause really serious harm.
“The prosecution suggest he wasn’t at all surprised with what happened.
“Mr Lakey had already been repeatedly pushing and kicking him, appearing extremely irate, calling him a ****.”
A video filmed on a witness’s mobile phone captured the sound of Mr Hughes’ head smacking against the concrete.
“Mr Lakey got back in his car and drove off without looking back at Mr Hughes, who was left on the pavement,” added Ms Le Moine.
At an earlier hearing, Lakey admitted causing grievous bodily harm but denies doing so with intent.
Jurors were told the more serious charge, which carries a potentially much heavier sentence, requires them to decide whether he assaulted Mr Hughes with the intention to cause him such serious injury.
The trial, which is expected to conclude this week, continues.
