A SPORTSMAN who needed life-saving surgery following an early morning attack in Poole is battling his way back to health.

More than five months after the attack outside Branksome library in Ashley Road, Richard Clanfield, who was knocked unconscious and in a coma for almost a month, is still unable to return to his bricklaying job.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how 40-year-old Mr Clanfield, a former star of Poole’s cycle speedway team, had undergone an operation to relieve swelling on his brain which involved having part of his skull removed.

Yesterday, on the day he was due to stand trial, Steven Sault, 28, from Rossmore Road, Parkstone, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Clanfield.

The court heard how both men had been drinking before the early morning fracas on March 20, which was caught on camera.

said: “Mr Clanfield is on the mend and hoping to be back at work within six to 12 months. He has some recollection of events leading up to the fight but not the incident itself.

“Shortly before Mr Sault had been ejected from a public house in Parkstone for loutish behaviour. There was a scuffle with youths which involved Mr Clanfield and soon after that, when tensions were running high, Mr Clanfield and the defendant were involved in an altercation.

“The CCTV footage shows them pushing and shoving. Suddenly a punch is thrown by the defendant towards Mr Clanfield who falls back, hitting his head on the pavement.

“Because of pressure on his brain part of Mr Clanfield’s skull was removed.”

Defending, Jonathan Simpson stressed that both his client and Mr Clanfield had been “extremely drunk” and involved in an earlier disturbance.

Sault had thrown a single punch in the “drunken perception” that Mr Clanfield was going to strike him.

Mr Clanfield was a prominent member of Poole Cycle Speedway for around 20 years, retiring in 2008.

The successful squad, based at Baiter, earned national titles throughout the 1990s.

A club spokesman said: “Richard was a great ambassador for the club and we wish him a full recovery.”

Judge Samuel Wiggs adjourned sentencing for the preparation of reports and an up-to-date medical report on Mr Clanfield’s condition.

He told Sault, who was granted conditional bail: “All sentencing options will be open on the next occasion.”