The family of a Hawke's Bay man violently bashed during a night out in Havelock North doubts he will ever fully recover.

One of his attackers, Jacob Broderick has been sentenced to four months community detention, 200 hours community work and nine months supervision.

The 18-year-old pleaded guilty in January to injuring with intent to injure a 32-year-old electrician in August last year.

His co-offender Falcon Walsh received two and a half years in jail.

The victim's sister says her brother has been left with a traumatic brain injury and an offer of restorative justice.

"Who wants to sit in a room with someone who's just attacked you and listen to them say sorry when you're still recovering from a massive head injury? He's still angry, he's still recovering, and that was all he was offered."