A thug has been locked up indefinitely for the vicious wounding of a fellow inmate at Elmley Prison.

Michael Eyers, who has a record for violence, was told he would have to serve a minimum of three-and-a-half years before being considered for parole.

The 43-year-old, from Medway, had been recalled on licence and was due for release on July 17 until he committed the latest offence.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how he caused John Stewart serious facial wounds, leaving him scarred, by repeatedly smashing a cup in his face.

He denied wounding with intent but was convicted by a jury.

The victim had been in his cell on June 15 last year when Eyers burst in and attacked him.

“My cousin had pointed him out to me and said to stay away from him because he was a nasty piece of work,” said Mr Stewart.

“He punched me to the top of my head, causing me to fall back onto my bed. He grabbed my china cup and repeatedly smashed it into my face.

“I had blood in my eyes and couldn’t see. The cup broke. I had bits embedded in my skull.”

He managed to get out and go down the landing, where he collapsed.

He was taken to Medway Hospital and treated for his injuries, including a broken nose. He was transferred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for specialist treatment.

Eyers, formerly of Jutland Close, Allhallows, now of no fixed address, claimed he was not responsible for the attack.

He was in March last year jailed for 21 months for false imprisonment, assault causing actual bodily harm, outraging public decency and common assault.

He was sentenced to five years in 1997 for wounding with intent in Chatham.

Richard Griffiths, defending, told Judge Michael Lawson: “He tells me he doesn’t pose a risk to the public. He continues to deny his guilt.

“He has misbehaved in the past but, in his view, he has grown out of that. He has taken anger management and attended a Think First programme.”

Judge Lawson said Eyers had attacked the victim because he considered he deserved punishment. The injuries left permanent scarring.

A probation report stated that Eyers only focused on his own needs without thinking of the consequences to others.

“You pursue violence when you consider it necessary, whether on the spur of the moment to get away or, as here, when you chose to take the law into your own hands,” said the judge.

“Your natural use of violence is made worse by your use of alcohol and drugs. This offence was one which you committed in cold blood.”

Judge Lawson said if he had imposed a determinate sentence it would have been one of seven years. Ninety-two days spent in custody will count towards the minimum sentence.