by Paul Hooper

Football fan Keith Morgan enjoyed watching the Cup Final at his local in Ramsgate with his Chelsea supporting son.

But minutes after leaving the pub, the 53-year-old was on the ground – the victim of a vicious thug “pumped up” with alcohol.

Now his devastating injuries – which included a fractured eye socket – has left Mr Morgan suffering from epilepsy and unable to drive.

His attacker, bully James Castle, 21, was told by a judge at Canterbury Crown Court: “This was appalling drunken violence in a public place. You were drunk and you were in a foul mood and in a bad temper.”

Castle of Trove Court, Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate was convicted by a jury of inflicting grievous bodily harm and jailed for three years. He had denied the offence.

The court heard how Mr Morgan and his son had been walking near a KFC restaurant after watching the 2010 Cup Final when Chelsea beat Portsmouth 1-0.

Drunken Castle – who has convictions for robbery – was seen arguing with two girls in York Street screaming vile four-letter towards at them.

As the Morgans passed, Castle turned his anger on them shouting: “What are you looking at?”

He then launched an attack on Mr Morgan, repeatedly punching him and knocking him to the ground in a pool of blood – in an attack which had shocked people nearby.

Mr Morgan was later taken to hospital and treated for his facial injuries – which were life-changing, the court heard.

Witness Barbara Parker had told the jury how she had seen Castle shouting at his female companions before the Morgans came across him.

The judge said Mr Morgan had suffered “devastating and life-changing” injuries which has resulted in him having to be treated epilepsy for the rest of his life.

He added that Mr Morgan is now unable to drive “and had used a car in his job in the past”.

Judge O’Mahony was told that since the incident Castle has been convicted of robbery and jailed.

He has also become a father and is mending his ways – which includes accepting he was guilty of the vicious attack.

But the judge added: “If you had really changed your ways you would have pleaded guilty.”