A “SHOCKING attack” outside an Oxford nightclub left a man with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

Shaheed Syed was hit over the head with a bottle outside The Regal in Cowley Road and needed emergency surgery and an eight-day stay in hospital to treat his injuries.

The victim was first repeatedly punched in the face by Samuel Jackson before Peter Thomas, 29, struck him twice from behind with a bottle.

Thomas admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and Jackson admitted causing actual bodily harm at Oxford Crown Court yesterday .

Prosecutor Robert Spencer Bernard said: “The incident took place in the relatively early hours of January 30, following the two defendants and the victim having all been at The Regal in Oxford.

“Inside, somewhere around 2.30am, Mr Syed thought he was in some danger. He broke a bottle to try to attract the bouncers' attention. He succeeded in doing so and was ushered out of a fire exit.

“The other two went round to the front of the club and are to be seen on CCTV.

“Moments later Mr Jackson and Mr Syed encountered each other and Mr Jackson delivered a number of blows to the face of Mr Syed, among other things breaking a tooth.

“Then, and it must have been within moments, his co-accused Mr Thomas attacked the victim from behind, but he was clearly armed with a bottle.”

Mr Spencer Bernard said Mr Syed suffered “two blows, each causing fractures of the scalp”.

Emergency services were called and the victim was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he received emergency surgery and treatment for more than a week.

Both defendants were seen on CCTV at about 4am on the morning of the incident leaving a friend’s flat having changed their clothes.

Recorder Antonio Bueno called it a “shocking attack” and asked the prosecutor whether the victim was lucky to survive.

Mr Spencer Bernard replied: “I don’t know to what extent I can say yes, but one would assume he would have been severely incapacitated without surgical intervention.”

Thomas, of Allin Close, Blackbird Leys, and 31-year-old Jackson, of Falcon Close, also Blackbird Leys, were remanded in custody to be sentenced on January 13.