PAUL Pugh, the Ammanford man subjected to a vicious random street attack in 2007 that left him in a coma fighting for his life, has launched a campaign to warn of the effects of alcohol-related crime.

While out with his Cwmamman United team-mates Paul, now 35, was the victim of a brutal unprovoked assault as he stepped out of Ammanford’s Old Cross Inn onto High Street.

“I remember walking out of the pub and I was attacked from behind,” said Paul.

Four men set upon him, punching and kicking him to the head as he lay unconscious and helpless on the floor.

In the video created for the campaign — which shows actual CCTV footage of the attack, Paul talks about his memories of the night — memories that continued to give him nightmares for months after the attack.

Paul suffered a severe brain injury, a blood clot in his head and damage to his nervous system.

He spent the next 13 months in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, where he underwent a rigorous rehabilitation programme.

Eight years later, Paul has teamed up with Dyfed-Powys Police and Carmarthenshire County Council to make the emotional video #PaulsPledge warning people of the effects of violent crime, where he speaks candidly about his trauma and his hopes for the future.

“I was a positive person before this happened,” he says.

“But I tell you what has given me the springboard to go even further down the positive line was the help I’ve had and the love from everyone to get me on my feet and having had a second chance in life.

“People going through trauma can use my story to help themselves to get to the other side, which I’m sure will put a smile on their face.

“It would certainly put a smile on my face knowing that I’ve helped someone, knowing there’s life after trauma.

“It would give me a sense of enormous well-being knowing that I’ve helped someone because so many people have helped me.

“God willing, I’ll see it through to the end and by doing that I’ll know I’m the one standing.”

The DVD #PaulsPledge was officially launched on Monday outside the Old Cross Inn, Ammanford where scores of people turned up to support Paul.

Sergeant Teresa Ross has teamed up with Paul to adopt a new approach to warn people of the dangers of alcohol-related violence.

"When I approached Paul he was more than happy to get on board and help," she said.

"The response has been amazing. A huge thank you goes to Paul and his family from everyone at Dyfed-Powys Police."

Superintendent Claire Parmenter said #PaulsPledge has received over 1,000 re-tweets on Twitter and reached more than 1.1 million people through social media.

"The DVD will now be rolled out throughout Dyfed-Powys Police, and I'm sure it will make as much of an impact as it has here in Ammanford," she said.

Speaking at the event, Paul said he was overwhelmed at the turnout and messages of support.

“I don’t want to see anyone else go through what my family and I have had to deal with.

"But if I can help prevent violence and get through to just one person then it will make a difference to the good of mankind,” said Paul.

To watch the #PaulsPledge video click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVPGtmkbm8g