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Newcastle Surfer In A Serious Condition After One-Punch Attack

He was allegedly assaulted in an unprovoked attack.
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A former pro-surfer is being assessed for a suspected brain injury after an alleged one-punch assault in Newcastle on Friday night.

The 23-year-old, identified by the media as Jake Sylvester, was allegedly assaulted in an unprovoked attack after being kicked out of a hotel on Steel Street, Newcastle, police say.

Witnesses told police a scuffle broke out at about 11pm on Friday evening when he was punched in the head and knocked to the ground, suffering a fractured skull. Sylvester was treated at the scene and taken to John Hunter Hospital.

Sylvester remains in a series but stable condition.

A 22-year-old man, from Mayfield, has been arrested and charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm. The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 16 March 2017.

Sylvester's father, Kim, told The Newcastle Herald on Sunday that he had regained consciousness and was speaking and walking, but remained in John Hunter Hospital for more tests on his brain.

"I can feel he is not perfect,'' Kim Sylvester said.

"He is just not Jake.''

He told Nine News that it was "every parent's worst nightmare to get a call at midnight".

Jake Sylvester is a two-time pro junior winner at Surfest and former Australasian Pro Junior champion.

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