AN attack victim who was beaten and left for dead in his home by a complete stranger has told how it has ruined his life.

Albert Maughan, 62, was battered with a car tyre lever by paranoid schizophrenic James Baxter during a violent rampage.

Baxter repeatedly punched another man in the same Middlesbrough street and followed him into his house to continue the assault.

Teesside a Crown Court heard that the 24-year-old thought both men were "manifestations" of a friend who had turned his back on him.

Earlier that day, Baxter had been sent home from his job as a porter at a furniture store because his bosses thought he was unwell.

He went to see a friend who wanted nothing to do with him because he was acting so strangely - then went on the bloody rampage.

Baxter - a heavy cannabis user - assaulted Christopher Sherwood, 41, thinking he was his pal before he was pulled off by two passers-by.

He then assaulted Mr Maughan in Weastell Street, Linthorpe, before his victim broke free and ran into his home and locked the door.

Baxter smashed his way through the door, and found Mr Maughan in the kitchen rinsing his mouth of blood after suffering a broken jaw.

He picked up the tyre lever and repeatedly smashed it into his terrified victim's head and body, said prosecutor Adrian Dent.

In what was described as a "rambling" interview, he later told police he was "really pumped up like a Neanderthal" and hallucinating.

Mr Maughan, who suffered horrific head wounds and a fractured jaw, said: "I keep reliving the incident over and over and it terrifies me.

"I don't like going out much, as I feel nervous when people start shouting. I keep looking over my shoulder, worried about who is behind me.

"This man has ruined my life and I don't know how to deal with it."

His partner, Allison Hodge, said: "The incident has affected my life considerably and I don't feel like the person I used to be.

"The memory of Albey being attacked by this man still lives with me. The image of it terrified me and I often relive it.

"I am just glad the man did not kill the man I love. How he didn't, I just don't know."

Former amateur boxer Baxter, of Crescent Road, Middlesbrough, admitted attempted murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on May 16.

Forensic psychiatrist Sajeela Karim told the court that without treatment in a secure hospital, he would be a "great" public risk.

Mr Justice Green imposed a hospital order with restrictions which means Baxter will be freed only when experts believe it is safe to.

The judge told him: "I am of the view that you present a long-term risk. It is a risk that could continue for many years.

"You should not be released until such time that you are considered to be safe . . . there is a high degree of uncertainty as to when that will be, if ever."

Mr Sherwood said in his impact statement: "I am now hyper-aware of people around me, and I'm always having to look over my shoulder.

"I hate that because I am not a coward, but I have been affected by this. I have to lock internal doors and I am restless all the time."

Mr Justice Green told Baxter that he had gone "seeking revenge" on his friend, but instead "randomly attacked various people".

He added: "A natural consequence of your action could very easily have been death . . . you did in fact intend to kill Mr Maughan.

"As you admitted to police in interview the following day, you were intent on killing [the friend] and anyone who in your eyes looked like him was, therefore, to be killed."

Mr Maughan was taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he had 14 staples put in head and neck wounds.

Mr Sherwood suffered a cut to the inside of his bottom lip, and injuries to the left side of his head, his neck and elbow.

The same two passers-by who saved Mr Sherwood followed Baxter to Mr Maughan's home two doors away and wrestled the attacker off.