Three hours after he was violently punched twice in the head by an ice addict, a Geelong motel manager complained his head felt like it was going to explode.
The 62-year-old vomited and became incoherent. He was diagnosed with a brain bleed and airlifted to Melbourne where he underwent an emergency craniotomy.
There were complications and the man needed a second urgent brain surgery the same day. He spent five days in a coma and was forced to wear a helmet to protect his brain for more than 12 months until his skull could be reconstructed.
His attacker, James Fiske, was jailed for more than five years on Friday for the horrendous violence, which occurred just two weeks after he'd been freed from another lengthy stint behind bars.
Fiske, then 27, and his partner had tried to book a room at his victim's motel but were turned away because they were unable to show any identification.
They continued to unpack their belongings from a taxi before the motel manager asked them again to leave.
Victorian County Court Judge Frances Hogan said Fiske had grabbed the manager by the waistband of his jeans and flung him off balance before pushing and shoving him, and punching him twice to right side of his face and temple.
The man still suffers the ongoing effects of his brain injury. He cannot concentrate on tasks for more than an hour, has an altered sense of taste and smell and has headaches, though reports the frequency and intensity are improving.
He and his wife, who witnessed the attack and watched as he underwent multiple surgeries in quick succession, both have post traumatic stress disorder.
Judge Hogan said Fiske, now 29, had a criminal history dating back a decade including convictions for attempted armed robbery, recklessly causing serious injury and for stabbing a person who he then punched and kicked.
Experts found Fiske had been exposed to drugs, alcohol and extreme violence from an early age.
As a result he had an inability to assess risk, regulate his emotions and resolve conflict. He had lapsed back into ice use since being released from jail which reduced his inhibitions and caused him to respond in an "excessively violent manner".
Judge Hogan said it was deeply concerning Fiske had offended so quickly after being released.
He's set to face a separate court hearing in December, charged with assaulting and threatening to kill a person just a day after he was freed.
"Obviously that offending forms no part of my sentence today, however the fact it occurred adds to the considerable concerns I have about your prospects of rehabilitation," she said, adding a lengthy prison term was her only option.
She jailed Fiske for five years and four months. He'll be eligible for parole in just under three years.
