A VICTIM of a vicious assault brought his anti-violence campaign to Pembrokeshire this week.

Paul Pugh was left in a coma for two months following an unprovoked assault in January 2007, for which four men were jailed.

Despite the fact that the 34 year-old will never fully recover from injuries that left him having to learn how to walk and talk again, he is bravely using his experience to campaign against alcohol-fuelled violence.

Paul said: “I am so pleased that the Paul’s Pledge campaign is being launched in Pembrokeshire. I don't want to see anyone go through what we are going through. My family, my friends, Cwmamman Utd, my therapists and the community have all been affected by the attack, which left me within an inch of losing my life for no reason.”

He added: “If I can help prevent violence against just one person, then I know it will make a positive difference for the good of mankind."

The campaign was launched at Pembrokeshire College on Wednesday, February 11 and included a 15 minute documentary, which starts with the 999 call made to emergency services after the attack.

In harrowing CCTV footage, viewers see Paul entering a pub in Ammanford with friends and leaving on his own before being surrounded by his attackers. The men, who were all in their late teens, kicked Paul repeatedly in the head and body in what was a devastating assault.

The footage, released with Paul’s permission, will be shown in schools, colleges and youth clubs across Pembrokeshire as part of the Paul’s Pledge campaign.

Remarkably Paul has forgiven his attackers, who have all since been released from jail. Working with his mind set coach Steven Truelove, he has learned to erase all of the negative thoughts in his mind and only think positively.

Paul said: “It was their negative thoughts that led to them hurting me bad. If one of them had the courage to stand in front of me and look me in the eye, I would shake their hand.”

Chief Inspector Angela Reed, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “Paul’s story is harrowing and really demonstrates the devastating consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence. Sharing his documentary about his experiences and the impact it has had on his and his family’s lives will serve a stark warning to others and hopefully make them think twice about getting involved in any violence. The campaign also encourages people to drink less alcohol on a night out as we know alcohol can have a massive impact on a person’s behaviour.”

• Take Paul’s Pledge – sign up to show your support to his campaign and vow to never condone violent behaviour, to walk away from aggression and violence and encourage friends and family to do the same. Tweet using #PaulsPledge and help spread the message. Make a pledge, show your support http://youtu.be/FVPGtmkbm8g