A row over childcare ended with a man being smashed around the head with a baseball bat by his ex-partner's lover.

Bryan Roberts, of Cowdray Square, Deal, has now been sent to prison for eight years after the "brutal and barbaric" attack.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how victim Stephen Creasey had been looking after four children from his marriage to Laura Creasey, which was going through divorce.

When Mr Creasey called his estranged wife to arrange for the youngsters to be returned to her on July 10 last year, Mrs Creasey was "not particularly co-operative".

Her new partner, 43-year-old Roberts, was also abusive to him in one phone call he answered, the court heard.

After leaving the children with Mrs Creasey's mother, Mr Creasey returned home.

Roberts later appeared on his doorstep - armed with a baseball bat.

Donna East, prosecuting, said: "Mr Creasey could see from the defendant's face that he wanted to do some damage with it."

Roberts struck his victim on the head with the bat, leaving him with blood pouring down his face.

As he tried to defend himself, Mr Creasey was hit another four or five times. He was then kicked at least twice as he lay on the ground.

One witness described the attack as "brutal and completely barbaric - like something out of a gangster movie".

Mr Creasey's new partner, Anita Purr, was also attacked as she came to protect him.

"the attack has had a profound and traumatic effect on your victims, both physically and psychologically…” – judge adele williams

She was struck by the bat, causing her to fall to the ground, before she was hit at least twice more.

Mr Creasey's skull was fractured in two places and a scan revealed some bruising to his brain. He also suffered two six centimetre cuts on either side of his head.

Ms Purr suffered a small cut to her scalp. Her skull was not fractured, but she did suffer a brain haemorrhage.

Roberts pleaded guilty to one count of wounding with intent and another of unlawful wounding.

Judge Adele Williams told him: "You launched a vicious attack upon your victims, striking them repeatedly.

"The attack has had a profound and traumatic effect on your victims, both physically and psychologically."

John O'Higgins, defending, said: "Over the last 20 years, Bryan Roberts has led an industrious and hard-working life.

"He has built up a business and, as a consequence of what he has done, that is now lost.

"He tells me this has been the biggest mistake of his life. He says it will not happen again."