Jail for Sam Ford's attacker

Damian Robert James Ford, centre, was sentenced to six years prison.

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DAMIAN Robert James Ford was sentenced to six years prison for causing Sam Ford permanent disability with a single punch at Coolangatta in October 2009.

In a sobering morning at the Southport District Court, 19-year-old Ford, who goes by the surname Wyatt, learned he would be behind bars for at least two years before being eligible for parole.

The victim's family members were overcome with emotion as the court heard the shocking detail of Sam's injuries, from which he will never recover.

Sam fell and hit his head on the bitumen on the road after being punched, which caused further injuries, including a fractured skull, plus bleeding and bruising of the brain.

Damian Ford pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Sam yesterday, and also to assaulting Meghan Colivas - Sam Ford's girlfriend at the time - in the same incident.

Ford struck Colivas with his elbow as he attempted to attack Sam, causing her bruising and a cut on her forehead.

He was sentenced to nine months' prison for the assault on the girl.