Barry Lyttle gets suspended sentence for punch that put brother in a coma

A Co Antrim man has been given a 13-month suspended sentence in Australia for punching his brother - who went into a coma after suffering a head injury as a result of the blow.

Barry Lyttle gets suspended sentence for punch that put brother in a coma

A Co Antrim man has been given a 13-month suspended sentence in Australia for punching his brother - who went into a coma after suffering a head injury as a result of the blow.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Barry Lyttle hugged his brother Patrick - who has recovered from his injuries - when the judge in Sydney handed down his decision.

The sentence mean the family can return home to Ireland.

Speaking after today’s court hearing Barry Lyttle said: "We’ve made a big mistake and we’ve paid the price for it."

Thirty-three-year-old Barry Lyttle had pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm to his brother (31) in the early hours of January 3.

Patrick Lyttle had spoken out publicly in support of his brother and asked for the charges against him to be dropped.

Samantha Brett, court reporter with Channel 7 News in Sydney, said there were emotional scenes in court today.

"They were hugging; they were crying...They've just been desperate to go home," she said.

"Patrick thankfully made a full recovery. He gave an emotional victim impact statement last week in court, which the magistrate took into account.

"He said he also took into account Barry's guilty plea and that he showed remorse."

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