A sports journalist injured in a “vicious and cowardly” street attack has finally returned home as his attacker was jailed for two years.

Former Manchester Evening News and Lancashire Telegraph staffer Gary Carter was left in a coma by the 6 November attack in London, where had travelled to cover an England rugby league match.

Gary, left with wife Gemma, announced he had returned home from hospital as his attacker, James Flanagan, was sentenced to two years imprisonment after admitting causing grievous bodily harm.

In a post on his Facebook page announcing his discharge from Salford Royal Hospital, Gary also said the sentence was what he expected and advised anyone who was “after a rant” to go elsewhere.

Wrote Gary: “Firstly let me thank everyone who came to see me in London and at Salford Royal.  Friends, colleagues who I count as friends and the entire rugby league community for everything you have done over the past 3 months.

“Family were outstanding but most of all thank you to my amazing wife Gemma Carter for her constant love and support over what most have been, frankly, a hellacious time for her.

“The rumours are true.  I was discharged from hospital yesterday but still need to get better with physio stuff.

“Finally a comment about today’s sentencing.  Two years was about what we said would be the sentence.  So there’s nothing more to add on that.  If you’re after a rant, you’re in the wrong place.”

Sentencing Flanagan at Snarebrook Crown Court, Recorder of Redbridge David Radford told him:  “You were responsible for a sustained, cowardly and vicious assault causing life-threatening and life changing injuries to an innocent man who had done nothing to justify such an attack.

“A significant feature of your violence is that after you delivered your first punch on your unsuspecting victim Mr Carter you despicably approached him, deceiving him by holding out your hand.”

The pair had met briefly in the nearby Star of Bethnal Green pub where Gary, of Stalybridge, Tameside, was having a quiet drink alone.

Flanagan, 35, of Kentish Town, had admitted causing grievous bodily harm at an earlier hearing.