JAILED: Man who kicked love rival's head 'like a football'

Lee Gwilt had a "moment of madness" as he took a run-up before assaulting Lee Smith as he lay prone on the floor in broad daylight.

Mr Smith, the ex-husband of Gwilt's partner, was left with bleeding on the brain, a minor fracture to his skull, severe swelling and cuts and bruises to his face.

Gwilt said he had "lost it" after Mr Smith, also known as Lee Nelson, claimed to have slept with his partner a couple of days before the attack, which took place on November 3 last year in Warrens Way, Woodside, Telford.

The 37-year-old, of Portley Road in Dawley, Telford, had admitted causing grievous bodily harm at a previous hearing and appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced.

He committed the offence just days after another court appearance where he was banned from driving and only narrowly avoided jail after crashing into a roundabout while nearly four times the legal drink-drive limit.

Mr Ian Ball, prosecuting, said the assault was witnessed by postman Colin Markland and a fellow Royal Mail colleague as they went about their rounds just after 11am.

"Witnesses described the two of them were scuffling, putting each other in headlocks," Mr Ball told the court.

"Mr Smith was punched and knocked to the floor.

"Mr Gwilt was then seen to take five or six paces back before running and kicking the victim in the head, like you would kick a football."

The prosecutor said a woman stepped in to intervene and Mr Smith was taken to hospital. Gwilt was arrested.

The victim was kept in hospital for 48 hours to be monitored but was discharged without needing surgery and has not suffered any long-lasting damage as a result of the attack.

Mr Brendan Reedy, for Gwilt, said his client had arranged to meet a friend but when he turned up, Mr Smith was also there.

The three began drinking after Mr Smith bought a bottle of vodka, Mr Reedy said.

"What made him snap, and what made him get involved in this fight, was the insinuation from the victim that he had slept with my client's partner.

"It explains why the fight started, although of course it does not justify the level of violence.

"He has shown genuine remorse on his part for what he has done."

Sentencing Gwilt, Judge Jim Tindal said: "If you give someone a running kick to the head, you can consider yourself fortunate not to kill them.

"This was a moment of madness."

The court heard Gwilt had been sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, for the earlier drink driving offence.

Judge Tindal said that 16-week sentence would also now be activated, meaning Gwilt must serve four years and four months in prison.