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A TAXI driver was hit across the head with a bottle so hard that his skull was visible through the wound, a court heard.

Geelong man Alexander Dendryver, also known as Sandy, pleaded guilty at Geelong County Court yesterday to one count of recklessly causing serious injury.

The court heard Dendryver, 25, had been drinking at a friend's house in Newtown on May 7 last year when a taxi was called to take him home.

"The accused was carrying a long-necked beer bottle and smelled of alcohol," crown prosecutor Paul D'Arcy said.

"The victim requested $15 to take the accused to Brougham St, but the accused said he didn't have his wallet.

"He became upset and struck the victim in the face with a beer bottle."

The court heard the victim needed nine stitches, and a report on the injury stated "the skull was visible on presentation".

The court heard Dendryver perceived the request for up-front payment as a slight, and intended to pay the fare with money kept at his destination.

Dendryver, who was 24 at the time of the incident, fled the scene after the attack but left the bottle, which had his fingerprints on it.

He was arrested a short time later and made a full admission to police, saying he hit the taxi driver because he was frustrated.

The court heard Dendryver suffered from schizophrenia and had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.

In the days leading up to the incident he had not taken the correct dosage of medication and had been suffering hallucinations.

The court heard he had little recollection of the incident, but accepted the description of events and was remorseful.

Mr D'Arcy said Dendryver had made no attempt to break the bottle to use it as a more dangerous weapon, but had used it in an impromptu fashion.

Judge Gerard Mullaly adjourned the sentencing until April 15 to allow time for a victim impact statement to be received.