Thug who hit stranger over the head with a bottle leaving victim with a fractured skull is jailed for four and a half years

• Shaquille Omar Hallisey attacked Matthew Leeke in Queen Street, Cardiff
• The 20-year-old's victim was walking home when the assault took place
• He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm 
• Judge describes attack in June 2014 as 'savage demonstration of violence' 

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Shaquille Omar Hallisey (pictured) hit a stranger over the head with a bottle leaving his victim with a fractured skull

A thug who hit a stranger over the head with a bottle leaving his victim with a fractured skull has been jailed for four years.

Shaquille Omar Hallisey's attack in Cardiff was described by a judge as 'a savage demonstration of violence in a public place'.

The 20-year-old's victim Matthew Leeke, 38, had been out with friends and was making his way home alone when the assault took place.

Prosecuting counsel Jeffrey Jones said witnesses described seeing three males behind Mr Leeke in Queen Street. They said the trio were arguing with Mr Leeke.

'They heard one say "Walk away or else you are going to get hurt" and then saw the defendant smashing a bottle over his head.

'He collapsed, hitting his head hard on the pavings and the three ran off.'

Mr Leeke told police he remembered someone speaking to him and then people surrounding him trying to help.

Cardiff Crown Court heard paramedics treated cuts to the back of his head and his forehead which had to be glued and stapled in hospital.

He was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and a scan showed a fracture.

In a statement, he said he was now anxious to leave his house and was suffering dizziness and headaches.

He said his wife and parents had also suffered a great deal of upset over what happened to him in June last year.

Judge Philip Richards acknowledged that Hallisey's guilty plea to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm had been 'brave' but said it had been a long time coming.

Hallisey had been due to stand trial before he changed his plea. 

'You used a bottle as a weapon to strike another man over the head and he has been profoundly affected by it,' the judge told him.

He also said that Hallisey, of Cardiff, had been the victim of violence himself when younger and now had a good partner who was standing by him. 

The judge said: 'I hope you resolve never to come before these courts again.'

Caroline Rees, for Hallisey, said her client had known prison was inevitable but that he had a supportive family.

'He is normally a kind and gentle young man doing his best to live a good life against what has been a tragic background', she told Cardiff Crown.