by Julia Roberts

A Gillingham woman has admitted getting rid of bloodied clothing belonging to a man who had carried out a brutal hammer attack which left the victim in a coma with life-threatening injuries.

Joanne Shearer, 32, of Portland Road, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice on April 12 this year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard today Friday that she removed clothes belonging to James Brown. They have never been recovered.

Brown, 37, also of Portland Road, had attacked 41-year-old Peter Bangay at a party in Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham, on the same date.

Peter Forbes, prosecuting, said it was a particularly grave attack and was both "life-threatening and life-changing."

He added that Mr Bangay had since woken from his coma and was able to talk and move one arm.

Brown pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent at an earlier hearing. He was remanded in custody to await sentence.

Shearer was released on bail today. Reports have been ordered for both and they will be sentenced on August 7.