Deng Galauk, 20, of Swan Hill, was today sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison with a non-parole period of 16 months, but has already served 394 days in jail.

The Victorian County Court heard Galauk’s 22-year old victim is lucky to be alive after his head hit the pavement in the sickening assault.

The attack happened in the early hours of January 19 last year in Swan Hill as the unsuspecting victim walked home from the pub.

The court heard a heavily intoxicated Galauk was walking down the street with two mates when he told them he wanted to bash the man.

The victim, who was just a stone’s throw from home, pleaded for Galauk to let him go.

But Galauk smashed the man in the face, knocking him out instantly.

He then kicked the man in the head while he lay on the ground unconscious and walked off.

The court heard Galauk’s mates then dragged the man into their home, which was near the victim’s home, and stole his wallet and mobile phone.

When police arrived they found the victim in a serious condition in the neighbour’s bedroom.

He spent the next three days in hospital with a fractured skull, broken nose and bleeding to the brain.

The court heard the terrified man still lives next to the callous thugs and cannot afford to move away.

Judge Michael Bourke condemned the “malicious” attack.

“It was an unprovoked, vicious attack ... on a vulnerable man,” he said.

Galauk had pleaded not guilty to a charge of intentionally causing injury, but was found guilty by a jury in February.

In sentencing, Judge Bourke said he sympathised with Galauk because of his extremely deprived childhood.

The court heard Galauk was raised in Kenya and South Sudan and endured atrocious conditions as a child before coming to Australia with his family in 2003.

He said Galauk appeared to resent Australian people, but hoped he might be able to change his attitude.

Galauk will face court again next week on a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.