A 25-year-old man who repeatedly struck his mother’s partner with an iron bar has been spared an immediate jail sentence today after the judge was told he was taking steps to control his quick temper.

Lorenzo Hodgson whacked Duncan Holland with the heavy scaffolding rod after calling at his home in Greenroyd Mills, Sutton-in-Craven, near Keighley, on May 21.

Hodgson, of Crosley Wood Road, Bingley, pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Mr Holland, who suffered a cut to his arm when he tried to defend himself from a blow aimed at his head.

He was also bruised and grazed in the attack on his doorstep.

Prosecutor Simon Haring told Bradford Crown Court today that Hodgson’s mother intervened to stop the violence.

Hodgson ran off when he heard the police coming and was arrested two days later, hiding in a kitchen cupboard.

Mr Haring said Hodgson had previous convictions for battery, having an offensive weapon and destroying property.

He was originally charged with aggravated burglary for the attack on Mr Holland but the Crown accepted his guilty plea to unlawful wounding on the day of trial.

The case was then adjourned for the preparation of a report from the probation service.

Hodgson’s barrister, Stephen Grattage, said he had a bad temper and was seeking help to control his angry outbursts.

The court heard that Hodgson broke his own wrist punching a wall in a domestic argument.

He was now highly motivated to change and a different man from the one that confronted Mr Holland on his doorstep five months ago.

Judge David Hatton QC sentenced Hodgson to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with supervision and 80 hours of unpaid work.