An ice cream seller has been locked up for four years for fracturing a man’s skull with a claw hammer.

Mohammed Khan rained up to five blows on Ben Keating’s head after he saw him verbally abusing a woman motorist, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Richard Wright said Mr Keating, 23, suffered “an immediate serious injury” in the attack on Little Horton Road, Bradford, on May 15.

He was treated for a fractured skull at Bradford Royal Infirmary and transferred to the neurological department at Leeds General Infirmary.

Mr Keating discharged himself from hospital against medical advice and there was no up-to-date report on his condition.

The court heard that Khan, 19, saw Mr Keating swearing at a woman driver whose children were in the vehicle with her.

Mr Keating was on foot and the car had collided with him.

Khan, who was working for his family’s ice cream business, seized a claw hammer and attacked Mr Keating.

He dropped the hammer at the scene and drove off in the ice cream van.

Khan, who was living in Cecil Avenue, Great Horton, but now has an address in Colne, refused to tell the police why he assaulted Mr Keating.

He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and having an offensive weapon.