A builder who hurled tea into a man's face before beating him with the mug in a Bradford caf over a dispute about building work has been jailed for two years.

Bradford Crown Court heard how Thomas O'Hara assaulted Peter Radcliffe, in the Candia Caf on Legrams Lane, Bradford, on March 17, 2005.

Mr Radcliffe's injuries were so severe that he required a skin graft to his nose and needed an operation to repair lacerations to his face and hands.

The pair had argued over some work O'Hara, 60, had carried out at Mr Radcliffe's cottage in Skipton.

Mr Radcliffe, 53, had paid O'Hara £500 for work done to his bathroom but O'Hara had demanded a further £700, a figure Mr Radcliffe refused to pay because of problems following O'Hara's work.

The court heard how O'Hara, of Broadlea, Bramley, Leeds, had left messages at the Candia Caf, where both men were regulars, and had left a voice mail message on Mr Radcliffe's mobile phone, demanding further cash.

On the day of the assault, Mr Radcliffe had been sitting drinking coffee in the caf when O'Hara entered. Mr Radcliffe had said 'hello' to O'Hara who ignored him and walked up to the counter.

Witnesses say that O'Hara then approached Mr Radcliffe.

The court heard O'Hara hurled the contents of his hot cup of tea into Mr Radcliffe's face before striking him twice with the mug.

O'Hara shattered the mug with his first blow before striking him a further time with the broken handle. He then fled the caf in his BMW car after other patrons of the caf intervened and dragged him off.

Mr Radcliffe spent the next four days in Bradford Royal Infirmary where he received skin grafts for his nose. He is also due to undergo plastic surgery to his injured hand.

O'Hara admitted throwing the tea at Mr Radcliffe but denied raining the blows on him. He was found guilty in November of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Passing sentence Recorder Christopher Attwooll said: "The victim received nasty and serious injuries and first degree burns that will leave permanent scarring. For an offence as serious as this there has to be a custodial sentence.

"However it always a tragedy, sending a 60-year-old man to prison."