A MAN has been jailed for five-and-a-half years for hitting a pensioner in the face with a brick at his grandfather's funeral wake.

Damien Fry left family friend George Thompson, 73, with a badly gashed head and a fractured eye socket when he struck him outside the gathering at Little Horton Social Cycling Club, on New Cross Street, Little Horton, Bradford.

Fry, 23, of Saxton Avenue, Buttershaw, Bradford, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Thompson grievous bodily harm with intent on July 31 last year.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Fry, who had been drinking heavily at the wake, "over reacted massively" when Mr Thompson tried to restrain him when he was arguing with his mother in the street.

Fry picked up a brick from a garden while she was telling him to "calm down and have some respect".

Mr Thompson, who was acting as peacemaker, grappled with Fry, who struck him once in the face.

Mr Thompson fell to the ground with blood pouring from his head. He was helped to a chair and an ambulance called.

His head wound was stitched but he still suffered from constant headaches and occasional double vision, the court heard yesterday.

Fry told the police he was "fresh but not blathered" and said alcohol made him angry.

The court heard he had convictions for affray and battery, dating back four years.

Fry's solicitor advocate, Philip Ainge, said his client was genuinely very remorseful.

"What should have been a day to celebrate the life of a relative who was close to Mr Fry, was tarnished by his actions and that is of bitter regret to him," Mr Ainge said.

Fry's relatives took a "very dim view" of the incident and he would work to build bridges with them while serving his prison sentence.

Fry looked visibly upset in the dock as Mr Ainge said he had resolved to make sure nothing like this ever happened again.

Judge Mark Savill said the day of the funeral should have been one of "quiet reflection and celebration of the life of the deceased."

He accepted that Fry was "appalled and ashamed" of his actions but added, "so he should be."