A machete-wielding thug, who lashed out at drinkers in a hotel, has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Lee Phillips, 30, armed himself with the weapon after a row with a group of Liverpudlians staying at The Village Hotel, Aylesford, in February this year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the machete had a curved blade between 2ft and 3ft long and drinkers used bar stools to protect themselves as Phillips brandished it above his head, swinging it from side to side.

One witness later described the scene to police as “like lion tamers fending off an approaching lion”.

One drinker, Daniel Lewis, was struck with the machete and suffered a 3.5cm cut to his forehead. The court heard Phillips himself was injured when he was kicked and punched while being restrained on the floor.

Jailing the father-of-four, Judge Philip Statman said the offence was aggravated by the fact that Phillips left the bar and returned with the machete at least an hour-and-a-half later.

The judge said: “It was a heating up period rather than a cooling off period. Instead of leaving well alone he came back.”

Phillips, of St Welcume’s Way, Harrietsham, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He denied possessing an offensive weapon and this charge was ordered to be left on file.

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