An ex-serviceman who harassed his former employers and kicked a former workmate in the face causing nerve damage has been given a community order after a judge heard he was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

Jason Paul Good had worked for Newsome bakers in North Road, Kirkburton, for around 20 years without any problem until his behaviour began to change following the death of his mother in 2012.

Jonathan Mitchell representing him, told Leeds Crown Court today yesterday that psychiatric and psychological reports indicated that death had such an impact on him it had triggered his mental difficulties which stemmed from his service in Northern Ireland.

The experts believed his PTSD went back to his seeing an Ulster Defence Regiment soldier killed by a car bomb.

Felicity Hemlin, prosecuting Good, said he resigned from his job at the bakers in July last year and from that point Philip Newsome, his son James and other staff began to have problems as a result of his behaviour.

Good lived close to the bakery and on August 26 he cut the wires for three properties belonging to Mr Newsome, two of which were rented out to elderly ladies. That cost £392.12 to repair.

He was given a harassment warning as a result but began stalking James Newsome in particular including sending him e-mails. Initially they were rambling but also one seemed to contain a threat.

He also wrote letters to him and to his wife making upsetting allegations to her.

On October 2 Mr Newsome was driving to pick up his father when Good suddenly ran down the road towards him and stood in front of the car preventing it moving.

He began shouting at James Newsome suggesting they fight and calling him “a pussy”. Mr Newsome’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter was in the car and began to cry.

Good walked away but saw Philip Newsome and also suggesting fighting him.

Miss Hemlin said on October 15 after Good had caused a disturbance outside the bakery a panic alarm was installed on the premises.

On October 26 Philip Newsome was going through the back door of the premises when Good shouted he wanted to speak to him.

Initially the conversation began civilly but then Good began to get worked up and was swearing and shouting: “I’m going to have you. You can get me locked up but I don’t care.”

Mr Newsome feared he was going to be attacked and rushed inside and pressed the panic alarm. CCTV showed Good trying to pull the door open and acting aggressively. All those inside were concerned because they never knew what Good would do next.

Finally on November 30, Paul Peace who also worked in the bakery was outside sitting smoking a cigarette when Good ran up to him and kicked him in the face knocking him to the ground.

Good then kicked him again before he was able to get up and call for help. He was taken to hospital and found to have fracture to a bone around the eye and suffered nerve damage causing numbness.

Mr Mitchell told the court for Good he had previously been friends with James Newsome and his fellow employees and the change was as a result of latent PTSD.

“At that time he was not behaving rationally,” said Mr Mitchell. “He was not a well man.”

He said having spent a year in custody on remand he was aware of the damage and the harm he had caused through his illness and abuse of alcohol and regretted what had happened.

Good, 45, then of North Road, Kirkbuton, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Peace, damage and stalking, and was given an 18 month community order with a 30 day activity requirement.

He must also reside as directed by his supervising officer initially at a hostel in Bradford and under a restraining order must not contact those at the bakery or enter the property.

Judge Christopher Batty told him the offences were serious and he would have received around 40 months in custody but having already spent the time he had in custody it was possible to take an exceptional course in his case.

The judge said having read about his PTSD as a result of his service in Ireland which had then been triggered by the death of his mother it appeared better for the public as a whole if those issues were dealt with.