What he does remember is waking up in Bright hospital with serious injuries.

The Myrtleford man had earlier been drinking at a pub and was described as “drunk and belligerent” by the publican.

When the pair got into a fight, it was Mr Menel who ended up with the acquired brain injury.

Almost 23 years later, he was granted $15,000 in compensation by the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal.

Mr Menel was a qualified butcher, but could not work for 18 months then has been limited to menial jobs such as fruit picking.

He originally applied to claim the maximum amount of $20,000 over $34,000 lost in earnings.

Magistrate Stella Stuthridge reduced the total by $5000 because of his role in contributing to the fight.

She said the serious injuries “seemed disproportionate” from the publican’s claim of self defence.

Barrister Alison Vaughan said the publican was interviewed by police, but never charged.

“We don't know what Mr Menel’s actions were on that night,” she said.

“We don't know much more than he may have been drunk and belligerent and refused to leave the premises.”

The result was six months of hospital care and another six months of rehabilitation to relearn speech, memory and maths.

“It was like going to school again,” Mr Menel said.

Ms Stuthridge was concerned by paying someone with “serious criminal history”, involving armed robbery and aggravated burglary between 1994 and 1996.

“Why would the general public think that was appropriate?” she said.

Mr Menel admitted he had a drinking problem at the time and told the court “I just couldn’t control myself” when it came to criminal offending.

He said he had been sober for four months and was seeing a doctor for counselling and medication.

“I accept he has a brain injury, I accept it was a serious injury,” Ms Stuthridge said.