A MAN who kicked an acquaintance in a drunken assault leaving him with swelling to the head has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Stephen Macdonald was seen on CCTV coming with the victim out of a property in Union Street South in Halifax at 2am on April 21 this year.

Prosecutor Heather Gilmore told Bradford Crown Court how the man appeared to remonstrate with Macdonald, who came out and chased him before pushing him to the ground and kicking him in the head.

Both men had been drinking.

The police were called who found the victim conscious but “confused and disorientated”. He was treated at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for swelling and bruising, a small fracture, and a chipped tooth.

In an interview with police Macdonald, 38, of Chapeltown, Halifax, gave “no comment” answers to questions. He later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).

The court heard he had a lengthy criminal record with 56 convictions for 124 offences including affray, burglary, robbery, dangerous driving, and ABH.

He was also on licence at the time of the incident having been released from prison just six days previously.

Mitigating, Anastasis Tasou said Macdonald had been self-medicating with alcohol and drugs to deal with depression and anxiety at the time of the attack. The prosecution was not supported by the victim, who did not provide a statement.

His Honour Judge Colin Burn sentenced Macdonald to 21 months imprisonment suspended for two years plus 180 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also ordered to complete a 120-day alcohol abstinence programme.

Judge Burn said: “It’s do-or-die time in terms of turning things around now.

“If you breach this order, you will be back in prison.”