A 24-year-old man who left a Good Samaritan severely disabled after ferociously attacking him on his doorstep on Christmas Day has been jailed for 11 years.

Lee Snowden shattered Sidney Bond’s skull and his life, stamping on his head up to 16 times, Bradford Crown Court was told yesterday.

Mr Bond, 64, suffered massive head injuries and was in a coma for eight weeks after Snowden drunkenly and viciously set about him outside his flat in Spring Row, Keighley.

He had now regained some speech and could walk with help, but would remain dependant on nursing care for the rest of his life, prosecutor Philip Adams said.

Snowden, of Laburnum Road, Shipley, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Bond grievous bodily harm with intent.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said of the offence: “This clearly is one of the worst examples that one can envisage, if not the worst.”

He told Snowden: “It was a truly horrendous assault.”

Mr Bond sustained a severe skull fracture, three facial fractures, abrasions and lacerations to the back of his head.

The court heard he would have died but for his own fortitude and the skill of surgeons at Leeds General Infirmary who performed life-saving brain surgery.

Judge Durham Hall said Mr Bond was spoken of with great affection. He was friendly and well-liked, but vulnerable and generous to a fault.

Snowden and Ashley Whyte, who did not join in the attack on Mr Bond, were pestering him and being a nuisance to him that day, the court was told.

Whyte, of North Dean Road, Keighley, was originally charged with the offence, but cleared after the Crown offered no evidence against him.

Mr Adams said the two men banged on Mr Bond’s window and then hid round a corner.

When Mr Bond came out of his flat and asked what was going on, Snowden attacked him, but Whyte walked away.

In mitigation, Stephen Wood, Snowden’s barrister, said: “He cannot turn back the clock and he must face the consequences of what he has done.”

Snowden, who wore a silver cross on a chain, wiped his eyes with his hand as Mr Wood said: “It was grotesque violence, but not planned.”

Snowden had shown real remorse and pleaded guilty at an early opportunity, Mr Wood stressed.

After the case, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Jon Morgan said: “This was a particularly nasty attack on a vulnerable member of the community who is lucky to be alive.

“On a day of the year which should have represented good will, Snowden undertook a vicious and seemingly motiveless attack.

“It left his victim severely disabled and now unable to live independently.

“I am pleased to see the serious nature of this offence has been recognised by the courts and that this individual will face a lengthy spell behind bars.”