Two brothers have been jailed for a vicious attack on another man in the street which left him with serious head injuries.

Andrej Pohlodko laid into Miroslav Rakas with a wheel brace and David Pohlodko joined in with a “flying kick”.

Andrej Pohlodko, 26, was jailed for eight years and his 27-year-old brother for 16 months.

CCTV footage of the assault in Luton Road, Chatham, was shown to a judge at Maidstone Crown Court.

Prosecutor Ian Foinette said there was a family connection between the brothers and the victim.

On the afternoon of April 6, Mr Rakas was driving along the road when Andrej Pohlodko signalled to him to stop. He got out and they started arguing.

They traded punches and both ended up on the ground.

Pohlodko shouted to his girlfriend to call his brother. Soon afterwards, a car pulled up and the brother got out.

“A flying kick was then delivered to Mr Rakas’ head which knocked him over,” said Mr Foinette.

"A flying kick was delivered to the victim's head which knocked him over" - prosecutor Ian Foinette

"A flying kick was delivered to the victim's head which knocked him over" - prosecutor Ian Foinette

Andrej Pohlodko went to his car and fetched a wheel brace or ratchet.

He then repeatedly struck the victim with it, leaving him with a 20cm long gash to his head needing extensive stitching.

He also had bruising to his back and kidneys.

Afterwards, the Slovakian brothers returned to their cars and drove off.

Andrej Pohlodko, of Laburnham Road, Strood, admitted wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and having an offensive weapon.

David Pohlodko, of Otway Street, Chatham, admitted unlawful wounding.

Satyanand Beharrylal, for Andrej, who has a five-year-old daughter, came to the UK in 2005 and worked as a supervisor at Maidstone Gravity trampoline park, the court was told.

A spokesman for the trampoline park has since contacted KentOnline to say he was never employed there.

“He has always sought to live a law-abiding life,” said Mr Beharrylal.

“It is fairly obvious this was out of character in the extreme.

“He thought he was acting defensively. In reality, it was retribution.”

Kate Hunter, for David, said her client had been remanded in custody for the matter for six weeks and had been on an electronic tag.

He had been promoted to assistant manager in his job and it remained open for him.

“I urge you to consider an alternative to custody,” Miss Hunter told Recorder Sarah Elliott QC.

But the judge said it was a serious altercation in a public place and Andrej Pohlodko inflicted a nasty head injury with a weapon.

“I accept this incident is out of character,” said Recorder Elliott.

“Both of you express remorse for your behaviour.

“One of the real sadnesses of this case is both of you will no doubt have caused deep distress and hardship to your families, in addition to the harm and distress you caused to your victim.”