Wakefield thug in vicious hammer attack on his ex in her own home
A thug attacked his ex partner from behind with a hammer over his deepening financial situation.
No warning was given by Daniel Harder, who pulled out the weapon and struck the woman to the back of her head.
He then tried to repeatedly strike her as she struggled on the floor, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Harder, who appeared over a video link from HMP Leeds, admitted attempted GBH with intent.
He has no previous convictions.
Prosecutor Zanisha Herbert said the couple had endured a “turbulent” nine-year relationship.
They split up last year but she allowed him to stay at her home, off Manygates Lane in Wakefield, and loaned him money.
On November 28 last year she arrived home just after 9pm and she asked Harder if he had been paid from his job, so he could reduce his debt to her.
He “stalled” and left the room, but returned carrying the hammer.
She was distracted and did not notice the weapon on his hand. He lifted it up and delivered a heavy blow to the back of her head.
He jumped on her and tried to hit her again, but she was able to disarm him.
The 26-year-old fled the address and the woman was taken to hospital, but suffered no lasting injuries.
The woman later said she was “perplexed” as to why he had attacked her.
Following his arrest, Harder accepted responsibility. He has no previous convictions.
Bizarrely, he claimed he did it to knock her out so he could collect his belongings and leave.
Mitigating, Emily Hassell, said he had never been in trouble before but there had been “crippling financial pressure”.
He had lost his job in the first lockdown, found it difficult to get a job, so borrowed money from his ex.
She added: “There was a deep decline of deceitful behaviour. It exacerbated his mental health issues.
“His memory is that he wanted to end his own life and ensure she would not be able to interfere with that.”
She said he had been sectioned previously and had made several attempts on his life.
Ms Hassell said there were “traits” of emotionally-unstable personality disorder.
Judge Christopher Batty adjourned sentencing saying he needed further information into Harder, recognising his depressive illness.
The case will return to court on April 10.