Drunken thug broke housemate's jaw while he slept after accusing him of stealing booze

Ian Taylor admitted causing grievous bodily harm over the sustained attack which initially took place in their shared kitchen and then after the victim had gone to sleep in his bedroom.

Taylor, 38, appeared at Leeds Crown Court where it was heard that the incident had taken place at a sheltered accommodation property on Hoyland Road, Kettlethorpe, Wakefield, on July 7 last year.

Paul Nicholson, prosecuting, said the victim returned from the shop with cider and after entering the kitchen was accused of stealing the bottle from one of Taylor's friends.

Taylor then lashed out and punched the victim to the face several times, but rather than retaliate, the victim went to his bedroom.

He fell asleep but was woken by Taylor who burst into the room 20 minutes later and began hitting him again.

The victim was able to escape and went to a neighbour's house who called the police.

The victim went to Pinderfields Hospital where he was found to have two fractures to his jaw and had to undergo surgery to insert plates to hold the bone together.

Taylor was arrested and admitted the attack.

Mr Nicholson said the victim continues to struggle to eat due to the pain in his jaw

He also finds sleeping difficult because he had become fearful of being attacked.

The court was told that Taylor, the victim and another person lived in the house and all of them had drinking problems.

A probation report stated Taylor had been an alcoholic for six years.

Since the attack he has moved away from the area, has stopped drinking and works part time as a shop fitter.

Craig Sutcliffe, mitigating, said: "Much has changed in this man's life since the time of this offence.

"He apologises profusely for his conduct. He is genuinely sorry. He is making real efforts to get his life back on track."

Taylor, now of Kent Road, Bingley, was jailed for nine months.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said: "Whatever the argument might have been, here is a complainant in his own home, expecting to be safe from any risk of injury or attack.

"The complainant did not resist your attack and quite wisely removed himself from the kitchen to go to the bedroom and went to sleep.

"You go upstairs into his bedroom and attack him again. It was a serious injury he sustained.

"While I'm pleased to hear you have addressed your drinking problem and removed yourself from the influence of others who continue to drink, this offence is too serious for a non-custodial sentence."