A MAN who attacked a homeless man he had befriended with a hammer has been jailed for six months.

Bolton Crown Court was told that Lee Finney smashed Kenny Hutchings over the head with a hammer after claiming that he had stolen property from him.

Finney, aged 36, of Gordon Street, Leigh, who had allowed homeless Hutchings to move into his house, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence. He admitted unlawfully wounding Kenny Hutchings in August last year.

Recorder William Waldron described Finney as an intelligent man but rigid in his thinking. Because of the amount of time Finney had already spent in custody on remand the sentence means Finney will be released within days.

The court heard that Hutchings returned to the house to find Finney going through his belongings and a row followed. Finney accused Hutchings of searching his belongings and of stealing property. The men began to argue and to push each other.

A small hammer belonging to Hutchings was on the kitchen floor and Finney picked it and swung it at Hutchings.

Hutchings stepped back but the hammer caught him above his left ear, causing a two centimetre cut.

Defending, Philip Martin said that Finney had been cleaning the house and as he moved Hutching's bag he saw what he thought were net curtains.

He suspected Hutchings of stealing his property and searched the bag and found pairs of women's knickers.