AN east Cleveland man was jailed yesterday after a punch in the street left his neighbour in hospital with a fractured skull and suspected brain damage.
Terence Harford, 44, spent 11 days in hospital before doctors gave him the all-clear and he was discharged.
His attacker, Simon Phillips, 26, told police that Mr Harford wrongly accused him of stealing and setting his car on fire.
Phillips was convicted at Teesside Crown Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Harford in Marske-by-Sea on January 27.
Christopher Baker, defending, said that the incident started over the car allegation.
There was a single punch which was not intended to cause serious injury, but Mr Harford's head hit the pavement, he said.
Judge George Moorhouse told Phillips: "This is a very serious offence which wholly justifies a custodial sentence.
"It is the duty of these courts to make sure that people are protected."
Phillips, of Meadow Road, Marske, was jailed for 12 months.
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