A thug who seriously injured a friend with a golf club after they fell out on Christmas Day has been jailed for 12 years.

Philip Goldson grabbed the club from Anthony Kennedy and struck him on the head, exposing his scalp.

The victim now suffers from memory problems and needs care and assistance.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Goldson, 50, went to Mr Kennedy’s home in Stanley Avenue, Queenborough, on Christmas Day last year.

They had a few drinks together and discussed getting some cannabis.

The judge, Recorder Matthew McDonagh, said an argument developed and to get Goldson to calm down and leave, Mr Kennedy picked up the golf club.

But Goldson took it from him and brought it down on the victim’s head, rendering him helpless. The assault continued, causing other injuries.

“You attacked him because you could, and you did,” said Recorder McDonagh.

"This was not a single blow... you took the opportunity to make a sustained and repeated attack, resulting in serious injuries" - judge Matthew McDonagh

“On any view, it was an outrageous offence.”

Goldson, formerly of Harold Street, Queenborough, but now of no fixed address, denied wounding with intent, but was convicted in September.

His lawyer said the attack was a momentary lapse of judgement.

Recorder McDonagh said Goldson, who has previous convictions for violence and racial abuse, had shown no insight or remorse into what he had done.

“This was not a single blow,” he said.

“You took the opportunity to make a sustained and repeated attack, resulting in a number of serious injuries.

“It was not premeditated in the sense you went to get a weapon, but I don’t accept you were defending yourself.”