A MAN who attacked his lover with a baseball bat has been jailed for four years.

Newcastle Crown Court head how Stephen Martin, 36, snapped and smashed Peter Hunter over the head after spurning his advances.

He then hit him with the bat another four times as he fell to the floor, fracturing his skull and causing bruising to his brain.

Drunken Martin then dragged Mr Hunter through the communal hallway at his flat in Gordon Road, Grindon, Sunderland, and into the back yard.

Martin left him unconscious and naked from the waist down.

Realising what he had done, he called police but said that the pair had been attacked by four other men.

As he waited, he curled up in the doorway to his flat and pretended he had been knocked out by the gang.

The court heard the attack happened after Mr Hunter made repeated attempts to draw Martin in to a particular sex game, the details of which were not disclosed.

The court was told Martin of Oaklands Cresent, Sunderland launched the attack because he did not want to take part and he also found it difficult to accept his sexuality.

Police found Mr Hunter lying in a pool of blood and drifting in and out of consciousness.

He was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital but was transferred to a specialist head injuries unit at Newcastle General Hospital. He has no recollection of the attack.

Martin pleaded guilty to causing grevious bodily harm with intent

Peter Walsh, mitigating, said Martin had not planned to turn violent.

He said: "Mr Martin felt vulnerable and pushed the other man away.

"He has persistant episodes of self-harm and has made suicide attempts.

"He is in conflict and struggles with his alter-ego. He fears his alter-ego is taking over. Self-loathing plays a large part in his behaviour."