A man who pleaded guilty to a brutal assault rapped his apology to his victim and his family in a St. John's courtroom this afternoon.

Matthew King, 22, beat a 16-year-old boy so badly last month that he fractured the young man's skull and face and caused bleeding on the brain, leaving the boy in a coma.

King pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm. He also pleaded guilty to earlier charges of impaired driving, leaving the scene of an accident to escape, and two breaches of probation.

King admits he's an alcoholic

King, who admitted he's an alcoholic who loses control when he's drinking, drank 24 beer before he attacked the boy.

The 16-year-old was in hospital for two weeks. He has lost his sense of smell, has memory trouble, and his vision has been damaged.

King is also a rapper who goes by the name Lakeside. His remorseful rap in court, went in part, as follows:

"The Bible says God forgives us our sins/ May him strike me dead next time I wanna throw a fist/ Heads low only feelin' remorse so/ Take this verse I wrote resourceful/ God help this felon's scorned soul"

King will be sentenced next Tuesday.