A sadistic blackmailer is behind bars awaiting a long prison sentence for a prolonged campaign of physical and mental torture against a vulnerable man.

Mark Whitteron smashed his victim on the knuckles with a hammer and cut him with a knife during six years of controlling abuse, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Whitteron, 46, of Fern Street, Dudley Hill, Bradford, pleaded guilty to blackmailing his victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wounding him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and causing him actual bodily harm in a span of offending from 2004 to 2010.

He was remanded in custody by Recorder Richard Mansell QC who ordered a psychiatric report and a report from the probation service to assess the risk Whitteron posed to “the complainant and the public at large.”

He adjourned the case until March 12, warning Whitteron to expect “a significant sentence of imprisonment”.

Recorder Mansell said he was concerned he might have “psychopathic tendencies” because his behaviour had been “cruel in the extreme.”

He has a previous conviction for assaulting and threatening to kill a woman partner in a confrontation in which he raised a knife to her throat and squeezed her around the neck.

Prosecutor Andrew Kershaw told the court: “The accused had an extreme degree of control, coupled with a sadistic aspect, as well as financial greed.”

His hold over the man included taking up to £500 a month from him and restricting when he could eat.

Mr Kershaw said the victim was so hungry he looked forward to the two days a week when he visited his family for meals.

He thought about killing Whitteron or himself because he was so depressed and unhappy. The police were called after the victim’s family found out what was going and questioned him about it.

Mr Kershaw said he believed most of the stolen money had gone on drink.

Whitteron’s solicitor advocate, Ray Singh, conceded they were “nasty, mean, offences” and said his client was disgusted with himself.

The offending ended 18 months ago and Whitteron had not had any contact with his victim since.

He had pleaded guilty, sparing his victim from having to give evidence, and this would be his first prison sentence.