A JUDGE has passed a life sentence on a 26-year-old convicted killer from Skipton who attacked a man with an iron bar after his release from jail.

At the end of Lee Osadzenko's trial in August the Court was told that he had been given an 18-month sentence in 1999 following the manslaughter of a man he had punched.

Sentence was adjourned for reports and at Bradford Crown Court on Friday, Recorder Peter Miller used his powers under legislation aimed at protecting the public from serious harm to pass a life sentence on Osadzenko.

The court heard that Osadzenko could be considered for release after serving a minimum of three years in jail, but his case would have to be considered by the Parole Board.

In July 2004 Osadzenko, of Sharphaw Avenue, Skipton, struck Mark Howson so hard with the iron bar that the lower part of the tibia of his left leg was badly broken.

Mr Howson fell to the ground in pain but Osadzenko continued to attack him as he lay there, the jury was told.

Osadzenko had denied that he ever had the weapon and claimed that Mr Howson had brought it and tried to attack him with it.

Giving evidence, he told the jury that he did not strike the complainant with it and claimed the injury was caused when Mr Howson fell over.

But the jury was told by Home Office pathologist Dr Peter Cooper that the injury was more likely to have been caused by a blow from a blunt object.

Barrister Edward Bindloss, for Osadzenko, urged Recorder Miller not to impose the life sentence provision arguing that his client did not show a pattern of violent behaviour.

In June 1999 Osadzenko was sent to a young offenders' institution for 18 months following the death of Skipton man Trevor Capstick.

But Mr Bindloss pointed out that the death of Mr Capstick had resulted from one blow which tragically led to the deceased falling to the pavement and striking his head on the kerb.

But Recorder Miller told Osadzenko he was obliged by statute to impose a life sentence for a second serious offence unless there were exceptional circumstances.

"I find there is nothing exceptional in the circumstances of the manslaughter conviction nor in your own personal circumstances," he said.

"Bearing in mind what you did to Mr Howson that night I'm further of the view that the public does need protecting from you in the future so a life sentence must follow."