A "BLIND drunk" man who was convinced there was an intruder in his home forced his way in and attacked him.

But Richard Hadley not only had the wrong house, he also came close to killing himself as he severed a main artery in his wrist when he smashed a mirror and a window.

Hadley got drunk after being suspended from work and forgot where he lived, Droitwich Magistrates Court heard.

A youngster babysitting his 12-year-old brother suffered cuts and bruising when Hadley forced his way into the house.

Hadley, aged 24, of Carrock Fell, Warndon, was with a friend who had tried to help him find his house.

Hadley, convinced he had identified his home, set upon Matthew Ford then smashed a mirror and a window.

"Although young Matthew told Hadley's friend he didn't have a clue who he was, the defendant lunged at him, forced his way through the door, and Matthew was then slung against the wall," said Susan Cliff, prosecuting.

"Hadley threw a punch at Matthew and tried to pull him outside but his friend tried to to get him off.

"Matthew suffered bruises and grazes to the neck and a swollen eye during the assault. It was only when his 12-year-old brother came to the top of the stairs that Hadley formed the opinion he was in the wrong house.

"His friend then led him away but he came back and put his fist through the window of the front door.

Barrie Newton, defending, said jobless Hadley remembered very little about the incident.

"Earlier that day he had been suspended from work as they smelled alcohol on his breath," he said.

"He returned to the pub and got blind drunk.

"He is extremely remorseful and is aware of his deep-seated problem with alcohol. He has now contacted the Alcoholic Advisory Service for help."

Magistrates imposed a 180-hour community penalty order for the assault and a 60-hour order for the criminal damage - which will run concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay £270 compensation and £70 costs.