A Co Antrim man, whose brother was left fighting for his life after he punched him, has pleaded guilty in an Australian court.

Barry Lyttle (31) could spend two years behind bars after his younger brother, Patrick, fell and hit his head during an altercation in Sydney shortly after Christmas.

But Patrick Lyttle, who made a sudden improvement after being in a coma for a week, asked for the charges to be dropped.

Prosecution have refused though, and the Ballycastle man is to be sentenced next Friday.

The court has previously been told that Patrick Lyttle does not have lasting injuries after the incident.

Barry Lyttle has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.

He punched his brother in the head following a minor disagreement outside a nightclub on January 3rd.

Barry and his father, Oliver, were said to have arrived in Australia just days before the incident to visit Patrick - who was backpacking around the country.