A thug who smashed his way into his ex-girlfriend’s flat and attacked her new boyfriend with a hammer has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years.

Tommy Johnson was told by a judge the sustained assault was "dreadful, even horrific".

His victim was even pursued after he fled into a bedroom where Johnson’s young son was sleeping.

The man suffered fractures to his skull and cheekbone and deep wounds to his head.

Johnson, of Bexley Lane, Dartford, denied aggravated burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, but was convicted by a jury last month.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Johnson had been in an on-off six-year relationship with Georgina Rollings.

They parted in January last year but the 27-year-old roofer became jealous after Miss Rollings started seeing the victim.

Prosecutor Simon Blackford said Johnson “was a long way from letting go of her and letting her get on with her life”.

Johnson and the victim agreed to meet for a fight on November 5. During it, the man claimed Johnson bit a chunk out of his ear.

"It beggars belief you would allow yourself to behave in that way in your son's presence" - Judge Julian Smith

The next evening the victim was lying down at the flat with painful ribs from the fight when he was awoken by the sound of breaking glass.

Johnson used the hammer to smash his way through glass in both the external and internal doors.

He burst into the bedroom and started hitting the victim on the head with the hammer. Miss Rollings tried to stop him.

The man ran into the a room where the young child was in bed but Johnson followed and continued to hit him repeatedly. He eventually ran off.

The victim was taken to a London hospital for treatment.

Johnson, who claimed he only forced his way in because he was concerned his son was ill and that the victim attacked him first, was acquitted of three charges of assaulting Miss Rollings.

Judge Julian Smith told Johnson: “I am satisfied when your arrived you had that weapon with you as a weapon. You smashed your way through two doors.

“You hit him repeatedly on the head and body. The injuries were relatively severe. He bled very heavily. The consequences could have been so much worse.

“He escaped to your son’s room and you followed and continued to belabour him with the hammer despite your son lying quietly at the head of the bed.

“He must have witnessed some of the violence you indulged in that night. What aggravates the offence is your son’s presence.

“It beggars belief you would allow yourself to behave in that way in his presence.”

The judge said he was not satisfied Johnson had shown “proper remorse” for his actions.

“I am presented with a deliberate and concerted attack armed with a hammer - a truly frightening weapon,” he continued.

“You caused significant injury.”

Judge Smith told Johnson he was fortunate there was not a finding of dangerousness, otherwise he would have served a longer sentence.