IRISHMAN BARRY LYTTLE was given a 13-month suspended sentence at an Australian court today for punching his brother during an incident in Sydney in January this year.

Lyttle had pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm to Patrick Lyttle with one punch while out socialising with him and their father. The injured brother had suffered a serious head injury and was in a coma for a week.

The 33-year-old Antrim man, however, will escape jail as the judge handed him a 13-month suspended sentence and a good behaviour bond, Australian media reports.

He was not charged under the country’s stricter one-punch laws.

Patrick Lyttle has made a good recovery, the court heard today. The judge also said that the family is a “close one” and that Lyttle’s remorse was immediate and sincere.

Patrick had told the court during an earlier hearing that he wanted his brother to be allowed to go home.

“When my family is healed I will be healed,” he said in a victim impact statement.

Victims often want to see deterrence. But everyone can see how much my brother has suffered.

According to ABC News, the pair sat together in court with their father.

After the hearing, Barry Lyttle told reporters:

“We’re just delighted we’re allowed to go home now and this saga has been put behind us. It’s been four months of absolute hell for the whole family and myself.”

He also thanked the people who have supported them in Australia and Sydney, adding that he was “so proud” of his brother who he said has “done incredibly well” with his recovery.

Patrick Lyttle added: “[Barry] has been through an awful lot, not just myself. We’re close and we all love each other and that’s never changed.”

More: CCTV of moment Irish man punched brother so hard he was placed on life support

Read: Barry Lyttle pleads guilty over one-punch attack on younger brother