Brave Cumbrian Danny Hodgson is to meet top state officials in Australia in a bid to ensure nobody has to suffer like he has.
The footballer, who was left with devastating injuries from an assault last year, wants to see improvements to the justice system.
He is also campaigning for better compensation for victims of crime.
Danny, from Bigrigg near Egremont, has given an emotional interview to a television channel in Perth.
It comes months after a one-punch attack by a teenager left the former Carlisle United youth player fighting for his life.
The true toll of Danny Hodgson's one punch attack has been laid bare. His long road to recovery has been made that much harder by a lack of compensation. #7NEWS @JessicaPage7 https://t.co/iuw7S3koFo pic.twitter.com/TyyJzxpOFe
— 7NEWS Perth (@7NewsPerth) August 15, 2022
Speaking to 7News aftre returning to the scene of his attack, he said: "If anything, I’m just really angry at the justice system.
“The justice system is to convict criminals, to protect citizens, and to keep order across the country.
“But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to say that a criminal that has 23 offences shouldn’t stay on the streets.”
Danny spent months in hospital and, while he has amazed doctors with his recovery, has had to re-learn basic functions.
His attacker was sentenced to three years and eight months behind bars.
Danny's partner, Jess Pollock, said the couple were considering legal action, adding: “Someone needs to be held responsible for this and why should we go through this journey and suffer in other ways as well — not being able to pay our bills when we were both working.
“I don’t even know if what he did was legal to let him out after breaching bail on 23 charges, I don’t even know.
“But if it is legal, and he has followed the law, then the law seriously needs to change.”
Attorney general John Quigley has agreed to meet Danny and Jess next month.
“I sit in my chair all day because that’s all I can do...I can’t move at all,” Danny added in the interview.
“There’s no point in me being alive. I’m worthless, I’m hopeless...and again this is all caused because of the justice system.”
Under Western Australia legislation, a victim of crime can receive a one-off payment capped at $75,000.
“Please change the law so this doesn’t happen again,” Danny added. “I just don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here