Brave Oldbury student Conor's miracle recovery

Doctors told him he was lucky to be alive, and urged him to take time out of studying to recover.

But today, the 18-year-old has spoken for the first time since the horrifying attack, having defied the medics and achieved high grades at college.

The Halesowen College student has achieved a distinction and two merits in a BTEC IT course.

And now mother Mandy Boyes, from Brookfields Road, has praised his bravery and determination.

She said: "I'm amazed actually. He's shocked everyone – he's my miracle. The doctors wanted him to take time out but he has a determination to go to college and carry on there. He doesn't want what happened to affect his life."

In September, Dudley Youth Court heard Conor was hit with a single punch during an unprovoked attack on June 15 last year on Olive Lane in Halesowen, when he was aged 16.

He suffered a serious head injury when he crashed to the pavement.

Kevaughn Redden, from Long Lane in Halesowen, who was also 16 when he appeared at the court, was handed an 18-month custodial sentence after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm. Conor is still suffering some effects of his injury, including bad headaches, and is being monitored by neurologists as he continues to make progress. He is not allowed to go on holiday, fly, or drive a car.

His mum also said he cannot be a typical teenager in case he injures himself further.

She added: "We are all in awe of him because he's got more determination than anyone I know. He wouldn't let this hold him back.

"Seeing him on all the ventilators and everything when he was in hospital was horrible. He's not a troublemaker so it was even more of a shock that someone would do that."

Conor is now planning to complete another course in IT before he goes to university. He said: "I received so much support. I didn't think I would do so well but my lecturers were very determined and helped me achieve high grades."