A man jailed for smashing another man across the back of the head with a piece of wood had previously done time for his part in a violent home invasion.
After the latest violent attack, Tangaroa Samuels, 22, was jailed last month for nine years and six months on a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Shane Lemon in Otangarei on January 8 this year.
Samuels hit Lemon across the back of the head, causing him to collapse on the concrete driveway. When he fell, Lemon's head struck the concrete driveway and he began convulsing.
The latest medical report in March said Lemon could walk only with the help of a frame and he had trouble recognising his daughters.
He will need long-term care and Judge Duncan Harvey said during sentencing that as far as being an active male, Lemon's life was over.