A thug who carried out four attacks in Dover, including one with a meat cleaver, has been given a 15-year extended sentence.

Grant Moore, 20, fractured his victim's skull causing a four-inch long deep cut, just because he objected to who the man was dating.

Judge Rupert Lowe told him: "Your victim might have easily been killed...and then you would be facing a life sentence!"

He said Moore, of Coombe Valley Road, Dover, posed a serious danger and sent him to a young offender's instituting for 12 years, before adding another three years which will be served on licence when he is finally released.

Prosecutor Patricia May told Canterbury Crown Court how in October 2016 Moore attacked two men in Cannon Street outside a kebab shop at 3am.

Jordan Roberts had gone to the aid of Steve Wilson who had three times been punched by Moore and bravely put himself between the two men, only to be assaulted himself.

Judge Rupert Lowe said Moore’s mother had been involved in an incident before the son piled in “out of basic tribal loyalty to your mother, who had decided to attack a completely blameless man”.

The court heard Mr Wilson had received a fractured jaw in the incident which has left him frightened to go out.

Ms May said that six months later he became involved in an argument in De Burgh Street, Dover with Anthony McCosh and punched, kicked and stamped on his head in front of police officers, while laughing and joking!

A few weeks later in May, Moore spotted Connor Wilson walking with his teenage girlfriend in York Street, Dover.

She said he took exception to them and, during a row, produced a meat cleaver and struck his victim over the head, leaving him needing hospital treatment.

The injury caused a four-inch long wound and fractured his skull, the court heard.

Moore pleaded guilty to four assault charges including wounding with intent and was told by the judge: “ Initially I was seriously thinking of passing a life sentence on you.”