A teenage thug punched a pensioner once in the face and left him with a life-threatening head injury.

Cori Kealey, 18, pounced on Neil O'Donnell, 70, in Glasgow's Gorbals on September 4, 2023.

Kealey lashed out at Mr O'Donnell after they had an argument on the street

The youth struck Mr O'Donnell, which caused him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement.

Mr O'Donnell suffered a number of horrific injuries including a blot clot near the brain and a fractured skull.

The victim was kept in hospital for eight months where he was unable to swallow and fed through a tube directly to his stomach.

Mr O'Donnell is unable to live independently and requires help from a hospital or care facility.

Kealey pleaded guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the assault to Mr O'Donnell's severe injury, permanent impairment and danger of life.

The court heard that the two strangers had a brief argument which Mr O'Donnell continued by waving his arms in the air.

Kealey then ran across the road towards Mr O'Donnell.

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Prosecutor Jenny Reid said: "Kealey punched him once to the face which caused Mr O'Donnell to hit his head on the concrete pavement."

Kealey then walked away from the scene while members of the public tended to Mr O'Donnell.

CCTV was used to trace Kealey who was found at his grandparents' house and he was arrested.

He replied to caution and charge: "So does that mean I don't get out, I mean no comment."

Mr O'Donnell was taken to hospital.

Miss Reid said: "Mr O'Donnell sustained a subdural blood clot, bleeding in the space surrounding the brain, a skull fracture and a fracture to his sinus bone."

The victim was sedated and ventilated at the hospital before he underwent an emergency surgery to remove the blood clot.

Miss Reid added: "The neurosurgeon confirmed that the operation was carried out due to the life-threatening nature of the blood clot."

Medics stated in November 2023 that Mr O'Donnell would remain in hospital for another six months.

He was unable to swallow at the time and was being fed by a tube directly into his stomach.

Miss Reid said: "They also confirmed that upon his discharge from hospital, he will not be able to live independently and will require ongoing supervision at hospital or a care facility."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month.

Kealey, of the city's Baillieston, was granted bail.