Surgeons were forced to remove a portion of the 38-year-old mechanic's skull to take away blood clots on his brain after the vicious attack.

Eddie, of Herewood Close, had been on his way home with a friend when the attack took place near the junction of Market Street and King Edward Street in the early hours of 27th January.

He spent more than four months in hospital and his family were told he was near death on three occasions.

And although Eddie survived his ordeal, he has been left paralysed on his left side and had to re-learn how to walk.

He has also been told he cannot return to work at Bowring Transport because a blow to the head could kill him.

Now Eddie has spoken of his disgust after attacker Ashley Crossland (22), of Market Close, Shirebrook, was handed a 14-month prison sentence when he admitted causing grievous bodily harm at Derby Crown Court on Thursday.

"I just can't believe he would get that little time," he told Chad. "After all we've been through, it's disgusting.

"I was in hospital from January to May; there were at least three times doctors did not think I would make it.

"My mum is elderly and she had to deal with the fact that her son could die any day. It sends a message out that they can get away with attacking someone and receive a punishment they probably aren't really that worried about.

"He's been on remand so he could be released any time –– this is a dangerous man and you wonder if the same thing could happen to someone else."

Eddie's wife Samantha (40) says the incident has changed Eddie and he is frustrated with his condition, which is affecting the whole family, including Eddie's children Dale (13) Shannon (14) and 11-year-old Davey.

"He suffers from outbursts of anger –– he gets frustrated because he struggles with the things he used to do easily," she said.

"Even putting his coat on is a struggle for him. When I first saw his head I was horrified –– I'm used to it now but I think people need to see the picture to understand how bad the assault was."

Now Eddie is due to undergo a cranialplasty procedure where the missing part of his skull will be replaced with a titanium plate.

"I was meant to have the procedure earlier on but it was delayed because they had not made the titanium," Eddie added.

"They told me they did not think there was any point because they assumed I was going to die."