A yob attacked a stranger in Bolton town centre in an unprovoked attack.

Reece Hopkins came across Jack Owen, who was unknown to him, in the early hours of February 5 this year, and launched a punch to the back of his head.

Mr Owen fell and hit his head on the floor.

Bolton Crown Court heard the incident was spotted by police on duty at the time and Hopkins was pursued before being caught.

Mr Owen was left with a three inch cut to the rear of his head which required six stitches and a fracture to the left hand side of his cheek bone.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, read a victim impact statement from him.

It said: “I do believe luck was on my side that day, I do believe one punch can kill.

“It has set me back a lot.

“If it had not been for the police that night I do not know how long I would have been lying on the floor.

“I just want to know why this happened to me.”

Hopkins, of Mosley Common Road, Mosley Common, appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

The court heard he had numerous convictions for shoplifting, but only one for violence which was battery while taking part in a shoplift.

Kevin Liston, defending, said: “This is a single punch section 20 assault, as lawyers we see these cases quite frequently and see the risks.

“The outcome can be very different and thankfully on this occasion it wasn’t.”

He said Hopkins had admitted responsibility from the outset and had stayed out of trouble between 2016 and the date of the attack in February.

Mr Liston said he had shown “genuine remorse” for the attack.

The Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh, said: “I am just about persuaded that the matter can be dealt with by severe punishment in the community.”

He suspended a sentence of 34 weeks for two years, ordered Hopkins to do 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 150 hours of unpaid work and placed him on a curfew between 7am and 7pm for three months.

He also ordered the 28-year-old to pay £1,000 in compensation.