A thug who carried out a bloodied assault and left his victim with serious injuries has been jailed for six years.

Stuart Rigden answered the door of a property in Athelstan Road, Margate, on August 18 last year, and told police "It's all fine".

But Rigden, 40, had blood stains on his clothes, and officers then saw a trail of blood on the living room floor.

In another room, a man in his 30s was found unconscious and seriously injured.

The victim was rushed to a London hospital, suffering with broken ribs, internal bleeding and facial injuries.

An investigation by Kent Police revealed the victim was known to Rigden and they had been on a night out in Ramsgate the evening before the attack.

During the night, they were seen having an argument at a bar, before the victim walked off, leaving Rigden alone.

Two hours later Rigden got a taxi back to the property where he carried out the assault on the victim.

At Canterbury Crown Court Rigden, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170.

He was also given a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim for five years.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Kerry Whiting said: "The victim was subjected to a brutal attack and left unconscious by Rigden, who tried to suggest everything was fine when police came round.

"The injuries sustained by the victim were serious and if left unattended, there could have been much more tragic consequences.

"I hope this court result brings reassurance to the victim, I thank him for supporting the investigation and case, and I wish him all the best for the future."