A judge has condemned the escalating level of violence after a victim suffered brain damage from an horrific assault.

Darren Selwood was jailed for five-and-a-half years for stamping on the head of Farhad Amiri when they clashed at a party.

Judge James O’Mahony told Selwood: “There was a time when young men would often fight and it was a question of fists. That was not the best thing in the world for anyone, but that was how it was.

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“No-one got badly hurt unless something unexpected happened. Then it became kicks to people on the ground.

“The Court of Appeal has said if you kick someone on the ground with a shod foot, it is like a weapon and can expect to go to prison for five years at least.

“Now, it is stamping on people’s heads,and it is what you did. You did it about six times.

“You had already punched the lights out of this poor young man and knocked him to the ground senseless, so what more did you need to achieve by stamping on his head six times, other than nasty, gratuitous, wicked violence?”

Maidstone Crown Court heard the victim had amazingly made a full recovery.

The violence erupted after the pair argued at Juddians Rugby Club in Tonbridge three days before Christmas in 2006.

Selwood, of Tudeley Lane, Tonbridge, denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but was convicted by a jury.

Thomas Allen, prosecuting, said Mr Amiri suffered trauma to the brain, which caused amnesia. He had to return to hospital three times because of problems.

Judge O’Mahony said Selwood, 24, was fortunate that the victim was not more seriously injured.

“This man could have been in a wheelchair for the rest of his life or suffering from epilepsy. There was brain damage. His brain swelled up like a football and there was bleeding inside the brain because of what you did.”