A cocaine-fuelled barman who plotted to kill a pub landlord in jealousy and rage has been jailed for 27 years.

Alex Batista, 30, was convicted of attempting to murder David Brown in revenge for losing his job at the Cricketers Inn in Meopham on Bonfire Night last year.

Today he refused to leave his prison cell and was sentenced in his absence at Maidstone Crown Court.

Mr Justice Jay said Batista's defence that he struck the South African pub boss with a spade in self defence was ridiculous.

"This was an offence born out of jealousy and rage,” he said.

The judge said the Portuguese barman had been married for a year and worked at the pub with his wife but there was a dark side to their volatile relationship.

The jury heard how during one episode the he pushed his wife Cara downstairs but she was caught by the general manager who prevented injury.

Another incident led to the break-up of their marriage and Mr Brown then sacked Batista on October 30 last year.

The judge said: "In a relatively short space of time you lost your wife, your job and your home. You became desperate and angry and bent on revenge."

By November 5 Batista recruited his brother in law Craig Allen and the two acquired weapons including a spade and two knives.

"Craig Allen had nothing to gain for his part in this and you could have called this off at any stage, " he added.

But Batista believed his estranged wife and Mr Brown were getting too close - and plotted revenge.

After arriving at the pub, Allen saw Cara talking to Mr Brown, told Batista and his "jealousy was ignited”.

They made their way to the pub and to Mr Brown's room, and armed with two knives knocked on the door.

"What happened after the door was opened was as rapid as it was horrific, you stabbed him in the left thigh and Allen stabbed him in the throat, just missing the jugular vein,” said the judge

“You then whacked Mr Brown on the crown of his head with the spade.”

At some point, Mr Brown made a dash for freedom after grabbing Batista's Rambo knife and in the melee, Allen was struck with a knife and died from his injury. Batista escaped in his wife's car.

Mr Brown had earlier told the court how he feared he would never see his children again.

The judge praised Durban-born Mr Brown for acting in "reasonable self defence” adding "but for his quick thinking and his physical and mental strength he would surely be dead”.

Detective Inspector Adam Marshall of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “The assault was premeditated and stemmed from a grievance Alex Batista had with the victim, with whom he used to work for.

“Batista had every intention of murdering his victim and arrived at the premises armed with multiple weapons. He then launched a ferocious and brutal attack as soon as entry was gained into the upstairs area of the pub.

“The victim was repeatedly stabbed and beaten, in a struggle which ultimately had tragic consequences and led to the death of another man.”

Brian Keeley-Whiting from WH Pubs said: “We would like to express thanks to the court and to Kent Police for all their support during the last 6 months.

“For this to happen at such a well-loved and welcoming venue was a shock for the whole team.

“Sadly this happened because one of our pub managers was trying to protect a female member of the crew from domestic violence.

“He endured an unimaginable and undeserved ordeal as a consequence of Mr Batista’s actions that night.

“We are grateful that our crew at the Cricketers Inn at Meopham have been supportive to the manager and have gone about their work in a professional manner.

“We also want to express special gratitude to our fantastic customers for their loyalty and support while this case was being investigated.

“I know personally that David has found this to be of great support to him. The Cricketer’s Inn is a beautiful family pub and clearly this was an isolated incident which has now been brought to a close”

An inquest into the death of Craig Allen is scheduled for June 1.