A BUSINESSMAN suffered "catastrophic" injuries when a heavy blow to the head knocked him to the ground during a street fight, a jury was told.

Haq Nawaz Rasool, of Heaton, was left bleeding and unconscious in Westgate, Wakefield, in the early hours of December 13 last year after the incident.

Prosecutor Glenn Parsons today told Leeds Crown Court it was immediately apparent Mr Rasool had suffered a grave injury.

He was making heavy breathing noises and was totally motionless.

A CT scan later showed he had suffered extensive bleeding on the brain.

"Before this incident he was a fit and healthy young man, after that he remains unwell to this day," Mr Parsons said.

"He spent nearly five weeks in hospital, was transferred to a specialist unit in Garforth, is unable to move without assistance."

Mr Rasool is "virtually blind" and is in a confused and disorientated state, the court heard.

"It looks as though he will require special care for the rest of his life," he added.

Joshua Balmforth, 21 of Lees Hall Road, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury, denies inflicting grievous bodily harm to Mr Rasool, 39, who lived in Toller Lane.

The court heard, Mr Rasool had been working in his family-owned Shalimar takeaway in Wakefield until around 4am. He then went to the Kooky club with former employee Nicola Knight.

There, a man, said to be with Balmforth, shouted racist comments at Mr Rasool and Miss Knight, who left the club.

A melee then developed outside the venue.

Mr Parsons said at one stage Mr Rasool punched Balmforth and "we say that was the catalyst for what happened later."

At one stage two men were fighting as Balmforth was trying to get at Mr Rasool, Mr Parsons said.

Mr Rasool walked over to the two men and appeared to "bring his foot down on one of the young men" before walking away.

It was at that stage Balmforth "picked his moment and went up to Mr Rasool and struck him the heavy blow that knocked him to the floor and caused the catastrophic injuries."

Mr Parsons said: "The prosecution case is that blow was totally unlawful and without justification."

The trial continues.