A STEPFATHER who attacked his daughter's partner with a hammer after a row erupted on the phone has been jailed.

Barry Seed, 40, snapped after a dispute with Peter Greenhaugh in July and travelled to his home in Sulgrave, Washington, Wearside, by bus, armed with a hammer.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how he attacked Mr Greenhaugh, leaving him with a cut scalp and bruising to his chest, shoulder and arm.

Tom Moran, prosecuting, told the court how the pair argued over the phone and, half-an-hour later, the defendant arrived on Mr Greenhaugh's doorstep.

He said: "As soon as the door was opened, the defendant pushed his way in and demanded to know where Greenhaugh was."

The court heard how Mr Greenhaugh ran to the bedroom and armed himself with an ice axe for protection, but was pounced on by Seed.

Mr Moran said: "Before he had time to do anything, he had been struck on the head with the hammer. Immediately there was blood and there was a struggle."

Seed was arrested and admitted what he had done, but said Mr Greehaugh had goaded him into it during the row on the telephone.

Tom Finch, mitigating, said: "This was a one-off incident against a background of bad blood between the two."

Seed was jailed for 12 months by Mr Recorder Simon Bournearton.

He said: "Anyone who goes armed with a hammer with the intention of sorting someone out, whatever the background may be, can only expect a sentence of imprisonment."

Seed, of Britannia Terrace, Fencehouses, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent