Man jailed for 'prolonged' hammer attack

A "dangerous" man who repeatedly hit another man over the head with a hammer in a "prolonged and persistent" attack has been jailed for six years and nine months.

Craig Jones, 32, of Station Road, Mablethorpe, tied his victim up and put him in a cupboard after being allowed into his home in Christopher Road, Alford, at around 01:00 GMT on 5 April.

Lincoln Crown Court heard earlier Jones claimed to be carrying out a "revenge attack" because of history between the two men.

But Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight said she did not accept it was a revenge attack and passed an extended sentence on Jones after finding he was a dangerous offender.

The sentence means Jones must serve an extended period of two years licence once he is released from jail.

David Eager, prosecuting, said Jones carried out the attack after being allowed into the victim's home shortly after midnight.

Mr Eager said: "Mercifully the injuries were not as bad as they could have been.

"But he (Jones) tied him up and put him into a cupboard."

The court heard the victim suffered significant bruising to his head and eyes, and a 4cm cut to his scalp.

In an impact statement which was read out in court, the victim said he still suffered from nightmares and had never experienced such an incident.

The court was told Jones had a number of previous convictions including a lengthy jail sentence for aggravated burglary.

Jones admitted a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following the incident.

He also admitted a second charge of theft relating to a bank card and money taken from the victim.

In mitigation, the court was told Jones claimed to have lost his temper after a comment was made by the victim.

Passing sentence Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Jones: "You hit him at least six or seven times with the hammer, then used speaker cables to tie him up and put a piece of cloth in his mouth.

"You then dragged him out of the room you were in and put him in a linen cupboard.

"He was there for 20 minutes until he found the toolkit he kept inside."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.