A jealous ex who shattered the arm of a love rival with a three-foot plank has had his jail term slashed.

David Waller stormed into the home of his former partner, Melanie Weedon, when he saw a van belonging to James Grimes in her driveway.

He confronted Mr Grimes as he emerged from the bedroom and proceeded to smash him with the makeshift weapon, fracturing his victim's elbow and little finger.

The 35-year-old, from Heathcote Close, Aylesford, was jailed for nine years at a Maidstone Crown Court hearing in November after pleading guilty to wounding with intent and attempting to dissuade his victim from pressing charges.

"He had gone through considerable personal tragedy and his relationship with Miss Weedon had become a bright spot in his life." — Sir David Maddison

However, after hearing evidence on Waller's past character at London's Appeal Court, Sir David Maddison cut his sentence to seven years saying it "properly reflected the totality of the offending."

The court heard how the incident in July had left Mr Grimes, who was eventually able to escape and take refuge in a neighbour's house, requiring extensive surgery and needing time off work.

He has also suffered from sleep loss, recurring nightmares and flashbacks and is left "constantly looking over his shoulder".

Sir Maddison said: "He plainly had difficulty accepting that his separation from Miss Weedon was final.

"He had gone through considerable personal tragedy and his relationship with Miss Weedon had become a bright spot in his life."

He added that Waller was guilty of an extremely nasty and brutal attack but his victim had made a good recovery from his injuries.