by Jenni Horn

A man from Gillingham has been sentenced to ten years in jail for a hammer attack which left another man in a coma.

James Alexander Brown (pictured), 37, of Portland Road, had pleaded guilty to Grievous Bodily Harm with intent at Maidstone Crown Court. He was sentenced at the same court, today, Friday, August 7.

It followed an attack outside an address on Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham on April 12, 2008. The victim, 41-year-old Peter Bangay, who is originally from South Africa but lived in Gillingham at the time of the attack, was left with serious head injuries. Mr Bangay is still being treated at the Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and needs round the clock medical care.

Following a party on Sturdee Avenue, Brown attacked the victim whilst he was asleep in his car outside.

Joanne Shearer, 32, of Portland Road, Gillingham, was also sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court. She had pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice in relation to the assault. She had admitted to taking clothing from the crime scene and washing them in an attempt to destroy evidence. She was sentenced to eight months in prison.