A 59-year-old man has told how he was scarred for life when hit by a pensioner as he took his dog for a walk.

Christopher Caveney suffered a fractured skull and needed 16 stitches in the wound above his right eye after being attacked by 72-year-old Gordon Waite.

Waite, of Mill Banks, Silsden, appeared at Bradford Crown Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

The Judge, Linda Sutcliffe, who adjourned sentencing until she had a report on Mr Caveney's condition, warned Waite he could go to prison.

Mr Caveney, an engineer of Tunnicliffe Place, Silsden, was walking his dog, Boomer, near allotments off Sykes Lane, Silsden, when he was attacked in May.

After the hearing he recalled how he was taken by surprise by the assault shortly after he had swapped "banter" with Waite.

"I know the chap. I've never had any trouble before with him. I was not looking at him but I saw him slide something from his sleeve and the next thing I was on the floor," said Mr Caveney.

"I thought I had fast reflexes but I had no chance to avoid it. All I could think of was that I couldn't open my eye."

Minutes earlier he had been chatting with his father in law, Jack Narey, in his 80s, at his nearby allotment. Mr Narey rushed up and helped Mr Caveney to his feet and back to his home where his daughter Michelle took him to hospital.

His wife Christine, 60, was on holiday in Greece at the time of the attack and learned the news by telephone.

"I was very distressed about him but he said I should stay and not rush home and not to worry. I got home about four days later and his face was in a real mess."

Waite is due to appear in court again in 14 days time when the up-to-date- medical report is expected to be ready.

Judge Sutcliffe told him: "This is plainly a serious offence and I can say that without doubt if you were not 72 there would be no question but that an immediate prison sentence must follow."

She said the proposal in the pre-sentence report was that she should pass a suspended sentence with condition the pensioner do unpaid community work.

Waite was bailed with a condition that he does not contact Mr Caveney.

e-mail: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk