Violent thug struck victim repeatedly over the head with a hammer in unprovoked attack at house in Harehills

Leroy Maynard flew into a rage and struck his victim repeatedly over the head without warning during the incident in Harehills.

Leeds Crown Court heard the victim is a carer for his brother and was grieving over the recent death of his father when the incident happened on May 11 this year.

Anthony Moore, prosecuting, said the man went to Harehills Park 'to clear his head' and began drinking whisky.

Maynard and a woman approached him as he was sitting on a bench and asked him if he could have some of the whisky.

The man agreed and the three of them drank the alcohol and chatted.

All three then went back to the woman's home on Foundry Road, Harehills, and continued drinking.

The victim returned home for his evening meal with his family but returned to the property later that night.

Mr Moore said Maynard then swung at the victim without warning.

The man thought he had been struck by Maynard's hand at fist but saw he was holding a hammer.

Maynard struck him again with the weapon near to his right eye, causing his glasses to fall off.

The defendant hit him two more times to the head before the woman intervened.

Maynard said to the victim: "I either smash you, or I'll smash her up."

The victim managed to run from the house and alerted another resident in the street.

Police were called and he hid in a garden until officers arrived.

Maynard stole the victim's mobile phone, glasses and cigarettes which he left in the house as he escaped the attack.

The victim needed stitches to the wounds to his head but has made a full recovery.

Maynard, 41,of Nowell Place, Harehills, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and theft.

He has 22 previous convictions for 95 offences including robbery and burglary.

Paul Hodgkinson, mitigating, described Maynard as "quite a tragic man" who has spent 19 of the past 25 years of his life in prison.

He added: "Despite the fact that there are a high number of previous convictions the defendant cannot be described as a violent man."

Maynard was jailed for 21 months.

Judge Malcolm Davis-White QC said: "As is not surprising, although (the victim) may have recovered physically, he has not recovered mentally and it is still causing him anxiety."