School run taxi driver pummelled neighbour after accusing him of sex assault
A taxi driver who attacked a neighbour, leaving him with life-threatening injuries, has been jailed.
Anthony Curtis accused Stephen Webb of sexual assault, Bristol Crown Court heard.
The court was told Curtis used an ornamental mushroom to smash Mr Webb's front windows, before attacking him and leaving him with multiple facial fractures and damage to his brain.
Curtis, 52, of Blagdon Park in Bath, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and damaging property in July 2019.
Judge Julian Lambert jailed him for 21 months.
He told Curtis: "You accept there was no need for the extent of that beating.
"The case is one of serious harm.
"It was an extreme reaction, a determined, violent rage which you could have and should have controlled."
Curtis was handed an indefinite restraining order to have no contact with his victim.
David Maunder, prosecuting, told the court Curtis accused Mr Webb of sexual assault.
After smashing his front windows with the 3ft tall mushroom ornament, Curtis was seen punching and kicking at Mr Webb - though there was no evidence kicks connected.
Mr Webb sustained fractures to both eye sockets, both cheekbones and his nose and had to have metal plates installed in his face.
He also sustained damage to his brain which caused him to have seizures.
Mr Webb made an impact statement in which he said he had to stop work as a driver and felt he was a changed person, feeling paranoid and struggling to leave his home.
Alun Williams, defending, said his client was a large, but not violent man who had acted wholly out of character.
Mr Williams said Curtis was employed as a taxi driver, ferrying children with special educational needs.
He said Curtis was perceived by his family and friends as a friendly, polite and helpful man.
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