A Bradford Council refuse worker has been jailed today for four years after a judge watched CCTV footage of him kicking a woman in the head during a late-night attack in a city centre takeaway.

HGV driver Barry Smith, 48, who also helped to coach rugby league to youngsters, had been out drinking with his wife, but after a chance meeting with a work colleague they ended up staying out longer and the group went to buy some food at the Dixy Chicken takeaway in Morley Street.

Prosecutor Duncan Ritchie said the complainant Christina Smith, 26, and her friend began chatting with the group at the takeaway, but the friendly banter turned into abuse and she was offended by the language directed towards them.

Mr Ritchie said the complainant tried to remonstrate with Smith's colleague Mark James after he kicked the back of her chair, but the CCTV footage showed the complainant being hit by Smith.

As she tried to get back to her feet, James then pushed her over a chair and onto the floor.

"She started to get back to her feet and when she was still on her knees the defendant Barry Smith kicked her hard in the face causing her to fall heavily onto the floor," said Mr Ritchie.

As he left the takeaway Smith threw a drinks can towards Miss Smith and her friend who had also been pushed to the floor.

The court heard that James also stole Miss Smith's handbag and £30 was later found to be missing from it.

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Mr Ritchie said the attack last August left Miss Smith very distressed and she was found to have suffered a fractured jaw.

Although she did not undergo surgery the injury was treated by the use of braces and bands and Miss Smith had to eat soft food for a time.

Mr Ritchie said the complainant herself described the experience as "life-changing" and indicated that she didn't expect to go out in the city centre again.

Smith, of St Abbs Drive, Odsal, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and his lawyer Ashok Khullar conceded that he now faced an inevitable prison sentence after 48 years leading a decent and law-abiding life.

Mr Khullar described his client's behaviour as "20 minutes of madness" and added: "He still struggles to explain his shocking behaviour.

"He expresses his upset and his disgust with himself for the harm he caused to his victim. He is effectively horrified by what he did."

Mr Khullar submitted that Smith was a man of positive good character and confirmed that his client would lose his job as a result of his conviction and sentence.

He said Smith's wife would suffer financial hardship and his ill mother would suffer the loss of contact with her son.

"He will pay a heavy price for that 20 minutes of madness," conceded Mr Khullar.

Judge Robert Bartfield said Smith and James had both started abusing the two women in the takeaway and there was need for it.

The judge noted that as a rugby coach Smith could not fail to know the damage he would cause by kicking the complainant.

James, 36, of Radcliffe Avenue, Swain House, Bradford, had his sentence adjourned until July 20.