A BUSINESSMAN who attacked an employee with a pool cue in a row over unpaid wages was yesterday jailed for two years.

Mark Hornsby, 37, left William Little with three fractured vertebrae after the 57- year-old went to his home to ask about his missing pay.

Last night, Mr Little told how he could suffer lifelong problems with his neck, is unable to drive and needs regular physiotherapy.

He was taken to hospital on a spinal board and was in a neck brace for six weeks after the incident in Darlington on May 7, last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Hornsby tried to hit him with the cue on the doorstep, but Mr Little blocked the blow with his arm.

After walking away, he felt four or five blows to his back and shoulders as Hornsby charged after him yelling: “I’m going to kill you.”

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said Hornsby was paying people delivering leaflets with cash, but that Mr Little had not received his money.

David Lamb, mitigating, said his client was under considerable stress as his business and marriage were failing.

He told Judge Peter Fox: “He acted in a hostile fashion, which was so out of character.

He was in an extremely fragile mental state.

“It was not he who actively pursued the complainant. It was the complainant who visited his address.”

Hornsby, of Pease Street, Darlington, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Lamb said: “It was spontaneous rather than preplanned.

“He is of previous good character, positive previous good character, we submit, generally a hard-working, law-abiding man.”

Judge Fox said: “I accept all of Mr Lamb’s submissions as to the facts of the matter and your personal circumstances.

“You struck him repeatedly with this pool cue and there are some serious consequences which the orthopaedic surgeon advises may be permanent.”