A man suffered a fractured skull when part of a paving slab was thrown at him by a former friend, a court heard.

Dean Walton had not intended injury but acted in excessive self-defence, Leeds Crown Court was told.

Anastasis Tassou representing Walton said he accepted he had acted “completely disproportionately” but reacted to threats made against him by Evan Nicolls. He said the pair had previously been good friends but things had soured between them.

Louise Reevell prosecuting told the court Walton was visiting a a house in Fartown Green Road, Fartown on January 3 when he saw Mr Nicolls who was abusive and had a knife.

Walton picked up what was thought to be a piece of concrete or paving and threw it towards him , it hit him on the left side of his head knocking him to the ground where he also struck his head.

When his mother found him he was slurring his words and not making sense but because he did not think his injury was serious would not let her contact the police or ambulance.

Mrs Reevell said the next day Mr Nicolls had a funny turn and on the following day went to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where he was found to have a four centimetre laceration to the left side of his head and a fractured skull underneath.

He was referred to a neurosurgeon at Leeds General Infirmary where he had surgery on January 6 and a metal plate was fitted in his skull. The incident was then reported to the police.

Walton, 23 of Hammond Street, Fartown, who admitted grievous bodily was jailed for 12 months after Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said he had taken into account his current circumstances but there had to be an immediate prison term.