An attack victim suffered injuries including fractures to the skull and face and punctured lungs, a Court heard.

Karl West also had severe lacerations to the back of the head, fractured ribs, bleeding to the lungs and brain and was in a coma in hospital for seven days, Bradford Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Paul Nicholson told the court that Mr West could not remember what had happened, but he had suffered very serious head injuries which had been described as life-threatening.

Stephen Milburn, 29, of Tyersal Road, Tyersal, Bradford, has pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Nicholson said the plea was on a basis which referred to a non-molestation order and reported domestic incidents.

The prosecutor said: “It is an unusual case in that nobody was able to give an account of what actually happened.”

He said the main witness heard the assault, but did not see it.

Mr Nicholson said the female witness was woken at 3am, on April 17, by loud banging coming from down the road. She could hear two male voices shouting and screeching and what sounded like cracking wood. One of the voices was louder and aggressive.

She saw a silver car speed off from the scene, in Ash Grove, Greengates, along Harrogate Road, and heard a male voice moaning and gasping. She alerted police.

Police and paramedics attended and the defendant was tracked down.

Mr Nicholson said Milburn was found hiding in his attic and arrested on suspicion of assault. He denied meeting Mr West, but police seized boots and clothing, some of which was stained with the complainant’s blood.

Mr Nicholson said Milburn had been given a six-month prison sentence in 2006 for a wounding in West Bowling, in which the victim was punched once in the face and fell back, banging his head on the pavement and causing unconsciousness, a fractured skull and bruising to the brain.

Judge John Potter adjourned sentencing until October so the court could make a proper assessment about the dangerousness of the defendant.

He asked for medical evidence in relation to Mr West’s injuries, including prognosis of recovery, and for probation to put in clear terms its position in relation to dangerousness.

He told Milburn that if he came to the view he was a dangerous offender, he could be facing a sentence of imprisonment for public protection. Milburn was remanded in custody.