by Julia Roberts

A teenage boy was struck over the head with a wheelbrace in an unprovoked attack during a party at a Maidstone house, a court heard.

Ian Sharpe lashed out at 15-year-old Lewis Kinnill in January after receiving what was described as a "disparaging phone call" about his sister.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Sharpe had gone to the address in Andover Close, believing the caller would be there.

However, after threatening other party-goers he attacked the innocent youth. Prosecutor Martin Yale said: "Lewis Kinnill was outside. Sharpe walked straight up to him and hit him with the wheelbrace."

The teenager suffered a gash to his head which later required stitches.

Sharpe was arrested hiding in the loft of his mother's home in Oxford Road, Maidstone. He told police: "I am going back to prison for this, I know I am."

Sharpe, 21, of Oxford Road, admitted unlawful wounding, possession of an offensive weapon and affray.

His cousin, 27-year-old Chas Truckle, who lives in Shrewton, Wiltshire, admitted affray. He was also found by police at the house in Oxford Road, hiding in a wardrobe

Sharpe, who was described as a binge-drinker, was jailed for a total of two years and Truckle was made subject to an 18-month community order. He must carry out 60 hours unpaid work and was also given a three-month weekend curfew.

Judge Philip St.John-Stevens said he accepted that Sharpe may have been provoked by the phone call. "But that is no excuse for taking the law into your own hands," he added.

The judge told Truckle that although he had not attacked the boy, he was "party to an atmosphere of violence".

Sharpe, who has served 83 days on remand, has previous convictions for battery, assault and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

The court heard that in February 2008 he shot a man with an air rifle after he was refused entry to a party.

Truckle also has previous convictions for common assault and battery.