Two teenage thugs have been locked up for four years for a vicious attack in which the victim was wounded with a scythe.

Mouizz Boumnijel, 17, swung the weapon at Peter Goldfinch “with full force” after accusing him of taking his cannabis, a court heard. Oliver Horsford, 19, joined in the assault.

Maidstone Crown Court was told that Mr Goldfinch was staying at the home of Jimmy Bainbridge in Downs Way, Charing, while he was away in December last year.

Mr Bainbridge also asked Boumnijel and Horsford to keep an eye on his house and gave them a key.

Guy Dilloway-Parry, prosecuting, said on December 1 Mr Goldfinch went to the house and found the youths smoking cannabis.

The next morning the victim heard a door open. He saw Horsford who told him he had seen children in the garden. He went back to sleep.

He later heard a noise and saw a long piece of wood being pushed through the letterbox. He opened the door and saw Horsford and Boumnijel.

They accused Mr Goldfinch of taking their “weed” and asked for it back. He denied having it.

Mr Dilloway-Parry said Boumnijel swung the 3ft long scythe at the victim: “He put his arm up to protect his head and it was struck. He was repeatedly struck about the head and body and fell to the floor.”

Mr Goldfinch managed to escape from the house and get help from neighbours. He was left with serious injuries.

Horsford, of Speldhurst Close, Ashford, and Boumnijel, of Downsway, Charing, denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent but were convicted.

Full story in next week's Kentish Express