A 20-year-old Betws man has been jailed indefinitely after viciously attacking a football captain and leaving him as the judge described in a "living death."

Judge Gerald Price branded Kieran Hale a danger to the public when sentencing him for the unprovoked attack on Paul Pugh on January 6.

Hale repeatedly kicked Mr Pugh as he lay defenseless on the ground outside the Old Cross after being punched by co-defendant Matthew Steinman.

Prosecutor Huw Rees said one witness said Hale stood over Mr Pugh and was kicking him like a football.

He said disgusted co-defendant Shaun Pritchard told police that if Mr Pugh's head had been a rugby ball it would have gone the length of half of the pitch.

The 27-year-old was left with a fractured skull and sustained severe brain injuries in the frenzied attack.

He told the court: "Mr Pugh underwent an operation to remove s a blood clot on the brain shortly after being admitted to Morriston Hospital.

"Consultant Mr Martin said his injuries were consistent with being hit with blunt force."

The court heard that Mr Pugh was left severely disabled and would never be able to leave an independent life.

Hale, of Treforus, Betws, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent.

Judge Price made him the subject of an indefinite prison sentence to protect the public.

He can apply for parole after three years and 230 days but warned Hale that he may not be released until the parole board is satisfied he does not pose a danger to the public.

He also pleaded guilty to beating Gareth Owen, Jonathan Craig Thomas and Huw Caredig Jenkins on the same night.

Judge Price told Hale that he had destroyed Mr Pugh's life. "His is a living death," he said. "He is severely and permanently incapacitated and disabled at the age of 27."

The court was told that Hale along with co-defendents Matthew Steinman, aged 20, of Caemwar, Betws, Nicholas McNamara, of aged 20, of Blaenua Road, Llandybie, and Shaun Pritchard, aged 24, of Station Road, Tirydail, set-upon admitted Mr Pugh, Mr Jenkins, Mr Owen and Mr Thomas after they had left the Old Cross and were making their way over to the Bard.

Prosecutor Mr Rees said Steinman punched Mr Pugh before Hale can over and kicked him in the head.

While this attack was being carried out McNamara punched Luke Rice. "He was heard to have said to Mr Rice that he was lucky not to have ended up like his friend (Paul Pugh)," said Mr Rees.

He said Pritchard bit Mr Jenkins on the check as they fought.

McNamara pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm on Luke Rice and Pritchard admitted actual bodily harm by biting Mr Jenkins.

McNamara was jailed for 18-months consecutive to an 18-month jail term for assaulting a policewoman in Capel Hendre, while on bail for the attack on Luke Rice.

Pritchard was also jailed for 18 months.

Judge Price told Pritchard that other courts in the country have regarded biting as assault with a weapon.

Speaking to Pritchard and McNamara he said: "This was indiscriminate violence in a public place in drink."

Steinman will be sentenced at a later date after an administrative error meant his barrister was not at court.