Drunk thug lured girlfriend's neighbour to door of his home in Leeds then smashed him in face with piece of wood

Leeds Crown Court heard the victim needed hospital treatment following the drunken attack by career criminal George Doherty.

Doherty, of Glen Road, Headingley, was jailed for 14 months over the attack which took place on June 8 this year.

The court heard Doherty was wanted by police at the time of the attack after failing to answer bail over professional shoplifting offences at Morrisons stores.

Charlotte Rimmer, prosecuting, said Doherty used a foil-lined bag to avoid detection as he stole bottles of alcohol from Morrisons on February 1 and February 3 this year.

The 29-year-old then failed to answer bail on February 22 after being arrested over the offences.

Four months later Doherty carried out the attack on the vulnerable victim living next door to his partner.

The victim needed stitches to the head wound and suffered cuts and bruising around his eye.

The defendant went on to commit another shoplifting offence at Asda in Morley on October 5

Doherty pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three counts of theft and failing to answer bail.

He has convictions for robbery, theft and assaulting police officers and emergency workers dating back to 1995.

Shila Whitehead, mitigating, said: "He is very sorry for his behaviour.

"He is 39 now and he knows that he has to mend his ways

"This appears to be offending that occurs in light of the alcohol issues that Mr Doherty has."

Ms Whitehead said Doherty pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage.