A MAN has been handed a suspended prison sentence after using a stone inside a balaclava to hit a rival in the face.

Video footage from CCTV cameras showed Carl Grundy approach the victim outside the Duke of Wellington pub in Halifax, tap him on the shoulder, and then swing the “improvised weapon” before walking away.

The victim was left with a cut to his face that required suturing in hospital as well as bruising and swelling.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the attack, at around 7.15pm on November 3 last year, came about due to their being “history” between Grundy and his victim over a woman, since when Grundy had threatened the other man whenever he saw him.

Prosecutor Philip Adams said Grundy, wearing a hoodie, had not been in the pub on Commercial Street on the night of the incident but had struck the other man “with force” when he stepped outside for a smoke.

Witnesses saw him walk up from behind, tap the victim’s shoulder, and then hit him in the left cheek or temple – making a “popping sound” – with what the victim initially believed to be a hard object such as a snooker or pool ball, in a sock.

It was later found to be a pebble or stone inside a balaclava.

Mr Adams said: “Following that initial blow the defendant either stuck or pushed the complainant in his face again before walking away. He was wearing a hoodie at the time, which was up.

“The complainant stumbled back into the doorway in a dazed and bloody condition. He was bleeding heavily from his face.”

Grundy, 32, of Westbury Street, Elland, was named by the victim and arrested on May 22 this year.

During a police interview, he answered “no comment” to questions.

He later pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mitigating, Imran Majid said the “horrific attack” stemmed from Grundy’s long-standing rancour towards the other man, and that there was “an element of provocation” involved.

He said: “He saw the victim happy and laughing and the whole thing played in his mind. That’s when he decides to do something about it. He thoroughly regrets his actions. It is out of character for him.”

Sentencing Grundy to 13 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, Her Honour Judge Kirstie Watson said his actions were pre-meditated but that the attack was not pre-planned extensively.

She said: “Upon seeing him you decided to carry out this retribution against him.

“There is one blow and having struck that one blow you then walk away.”

She described the incident as “an act of random violence” that resulted in “horrible injuries”.

In addition to the suspended sentence Grundy was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, and to undertake 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.