A thug who carried out a vicious revenge attack after luring his victim to a remote location at night has been jailed for six years.

Luke Rundle dragged Dennis Wilson out of his car near a warehouse in Gillingham, and punched him four or five times.

The middle-aged victim was knocked unconscious and suffered fractures to his face.

He claimed he was left with double vision and no longer able to work as an HGV driver.

But Paul Jackson, defending, said Mr Wilson was a “proven liar” having attempted to pervert the course of justice by exaggerating the extent of his injuries.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Rundle, 25, was incensed because a female relative had been harassed by Mr Wilson.

Rundle, of Twydall Lane, Gillingham, obtained the victim’s mobile phone number “by chance” and texted him to arrange a meeting, suggesting it was connected with well-paid work.

He pounced when Mr Wilson arrived at the “lonely and secluded place” in Beechings Way on January 8 last year.

Mr Wilson told how the car door opened and he was hit. Rundle told him: “You know who I am and you know you are going to die tonight.”

The victim said both eyes were damaged and he was covered in blood. He claimed he had permanent double vision in his left eye. He was in hospital for a week.

“You know who I am and you know you are going to die tonight...” - Luke Rundle

He said he had been an HGV driver for 20 years but was now unemployed as he was not allowed to drive.

Rundle, who admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, had stated he did not set up Mr Wilson to harm him. “I was hoping he would be scared,” he said.

Judge Martin Joy said it was an extremely difficult sentencing exercise. He accepted that Mr Wilson may have harassed the relative.

“I conclude nevertheless this was a revenge attack - a premeditated attack,” he said. “There was a sustained attack. There are some shocking photographs of Mr Wilson immediately after the assault.”

Doctors concluded there was little wrong with his eyesight and that it could be corrected by wearing glasses. He was able to drive HGVs.

But the judge added that it was “a sinister and serious offence”.

After sentencing, Detective Constable Phil Pead said: "This was a premeditated and ruthless assault on this victim, who was left with a bleed on the brain, fractures to both of his eye sockets and broken ribs.

"After the victim regained consciousness, Rundle told him, ‘You know I’m going to kill you today don’t you?’ - before continuing the assault.’

"Fortunately, at this point they were spotted by a passing police patrol, who were able to get medical attention for the victim and also arrest Rundle as he ran away.

"I have little doubt that the actions of these two officers not only led to the conviction of Rundle but also saved the victim’s life.

"Had he been left where he was, suffering from a brain haemorrhage in that remote location in the early hours of the morning in the middle of winter, with no one else likely to find him, it is doubtful whether he would have lived through the night."