A DRUNKEN man who broke into the wrong house and mistakenly attacked a stranger has been jailed for five years.

32-year-old Allan Sutton thought he was breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house in Prenton - but got the wrong address.

The householder, 53-year-old Paul McDonald, who was asleep on the sofa, was awoken by the sound of banging and fled upstairs.

But Sutton followed him into a bedroom and threw him into a mirrored wardrobe, before punching and kicking him to the floor.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday how Sutton later told police “the red mist descended” after he smashed his way in.

The court heard the terrifying 999 call Mr McDonald made as Sutton started attacking him until the phone went dead.

He was aggressive when the police arrived telling them to stay back but after a while became compliant and was handcuffed and arrested.

When interviewed he said he had been out drinking since 2.30 pm that day, December 22, and saw his ex-girlfriend he said he would call at her home later.

When he arrived about 10.30 pm at what he thought was her home he saw a figure and chased him to the bedroom after the "red mist" descended. He said the victim did not punch back and he apologised and was upset.

Judge David Aubrey, QC said the recording would “live in the memory of anyone who’s heard it.”

Mr McDonald is heard pleading with 999 staff: “Please hurry, I’m so frightened. Help me,” as Sutton screamed - “I’m going to punch the f*** out of you.”

In a victim statement, Mr McDonald said: “I was so scared. I woke up and I didn’t know what was going on. I’m not a big man and I’m certainly not a fighter. He was out of control, I was scared that he wasn’t going to stop.

“I don’t feel safe in my own home now, I lie awake at night reliving the attack. He could have killed me- the incident will live with me forever.”

Jailing him for five years with an extended two-and-a-half years on licence, Judge Aubrey told Sutton he posed a “serious threat” to the public and had a problem with anger and alcoholism.

“This was a defenceless man in his own home. Mr McDonald had lived there for 26 years but since the incident he has been living with his 83-year-old mother. It is you who inflicted those deep psychological scars. When you are on drink, you are a different person.”

Sutton, of Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch, who has eight previous convictions, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Gerry Pachter, defending, said: “By any standards this is an horrific offence. Mr Sutton has expressed real remorse, he is ashamed and horrified by his actions.”

“He is ashamed of attacking an innocent man in his own home and has serious problems with anger and alcohol.”