A drunk man beat a woman unconscious with her own walking stick after entering her house to use the toilet.
Ian Matthews, 42, assaulted his victim at her home in Bridgend in the early hours of September 6 last year after refusing to leave, claiming he had a right to remain in the house.
When she told him to leave, he grabbed her walking stick and repeatedly struck her until she was lying unconscious and bloody on the floor.
The defendant later claimed he had no recollection of the incident due to being intoxicated, citing "an issue with drink" as the cause of the assault.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard Matthews had attended a party in the Bryntirion area and knocked on the door of his victim's house to use her toilet, due to there being a queue at the party.
She allowed him in to use the toilet, but when he finished he refused to leave and claimed it was his brother's house and she would have to leave.
Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said: "All of a sudden he picked up her walking stick, raised it above his head and hit her on the head. He hit her again and she fell to the floor, where he continued to hit her. She's not sure how many times but remembers thinking he wasn't going to stop.
"She believes she lost consciousness and when she came round she saw blood coming from her head and nose. She was scared and afraid he was still in the house."
When she realised Matthews was no longer there, she called the police and the defendant was arrested later the same day.
In police interview he answered no questions but Matthews, of Bryn Henllan, Blaenrhondda, Rhondda later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Defence barrister Jonathan Webb said his client "cannot explain his actions" and has no recollection of what took place. He said Matthews had "drunk to excess" at the party and cannot remember anything from then on.
The barrister described alcohol as "blighting" the defendant's life but since the assault he has not touched drink.
Sentencing, Recorder Greg Bull QC said the use of his victim's walking stuck to assault her was an extremely aggravating feature, but took into account the fact she did not wish the prosecution to proceed.
Matthews was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment suspended for two years and was ordered to carry out a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours unpaid work. He was also made subject to a restraining order.
