by Keith Hunt

A thug who launched a vicious attack on a former friend by battering him over the head with a wheelbrace has been jailed for four years.

Under the extended sentence for public protection, William Stone will be on licence for a further two years.

A judge said he was imposing the punishment because there was a significant risk of further harm being caused to the public.

Stone, 21, was subject to a suspended sentence for a gun offence when he attacked John Vidler.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Stone was in a car when he saw the victim in Lower Boxley Road, Maidstone, on September 11 2010.

He stopped and went up to Mr Vidler and struck him three times with the weapon - twice to the head and once to the arm.

An off-duty police officer stopped the assault. Mr Vidler was taken to hospital and treated for the wounds.

The victim described the violence in a statement as "vicious, nasty and unprovoked".

Stone, of Perch Close, Larkfield, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

John Blower, defending, said at an earlier hearing Stone had been living an itinerant lifestyle abusing drink and drugs. There had been ongoing problems with Mr Vidler.

Stone’s girlfriend had been in the car with him at the time of the attack. She was expecting his child in April.

Mr Blower said it was a chance meeting with Mr Vidler and the attack was random.

"He accepts he cannot behave the way he did," he added. "He has moved on."

Judge Philip Statman said Stone caused the victim ugly wounds in the unprovoked attack and it was "good fortune indeed" he was not detained in hospital.

He was released the same night after stitches were inserted. But he had indicated he had lost confidence about going out on his own.

The judge said he was taking a holistic approach by imposing a sentence that would allow the authorities to monitor Stone in future.

He was satisfied, he said, the offence did not call for a "draconian" sentence of being locked up indefinitely.

Stone was given a suspended sentence of just under a year in November 2009 for possessing an imitation firearm and having a bladed article.