Man jailed for attacking his housemate with wine glass during disagreement over chores

Errol Henry had drunk a bottle of vodka when he struck the victim in the face with a wine glass during the incident on December 10 last year.

Leeds Crown Court heard Henry cut the man's face in two places after bursting a bedroom at the property on Lincoln Street, Peacock, Wakefield.

The 44-year-old then attacked another resident, calling him a "snitch".

Jonathan Sharp, prosecuting, said police were called to the house and Henry was arrested.

The defendant claimed that the glassing was an accident and he had only intended to throw water over the victim, but admitted a charge of unlawful wounding and assault.

The glassing victim has been left with a permanent scar to his face.

It was suggested the disagreements stemmed from household chores and cleanliness, and Henry claimed the other housemates wanted him out.

Henry was then said to have called them "snitch" and "grass" after the first police intervention.

The court was told that Henry has previous convictions for violence.

A probation report said that although Henry gave his address as Lee Moor Road in Stanley during a previous court appearance, he was now living in Nottingham and he was a 'medium risk' of re-offending.

Nicholas Walsh, mitigating, said Henry, a forklift truck driver, had moved to Wakefield for a fresh start after splitting up with his partner.

Mr Walsh added: "There were a number of different residents, many with alcohol or drug problems and Mr Henry was in conflict with some of those people who had different standards of cleanliness and behaviour.

"He regrets his action to go and confront these witnesses. He disputes that he intended to cause any harm and it was not premeditated."

Judge Simon Batiste said: "You have an extremely bad record for offences for violence, albeit this is the most serious.

"You went in (to the room), you were clearly not welcome and you were carrying with you a wine glass.

"You were heavily in drink. I accept that you did not deliberately thrust the glass into his face, but you were highly reckless."

The judge said the matter was too serious to impose a suspended sentence and sent Henry into custody for 18 months.