A MAN who viciously attacked another with an axe handle, on a busy main road in Stanford-le-Hope in the middle of the day, has been jailed for more than two years.

The attack happened on Thursday, 21 March this year at about 11.30am. The victim, a man in is 30s, was at work in London Road when he saw the suspect, Bernard Saunders from Lancashire, and believed he was in danger.

Saunders, 30, of Occupation Lane in Poulton-le-Fylde, appeared before Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, 3 October and was sentenced to 28 months in prison, having pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent on Friday, 27 September at the same court.

The unnamed victim ran towards Butts Lane when he Saunders a second time. Saunders approached him with what appeared to be an axe handle.

Despite trying to evade Saunders by running across a busy roundabout, Saunders caught him and attacked him, leaving him with three separate facial injuries which later required surgery.

Saunders left the scene and left the victim in a serious condition on the street after the attack.

The roundabout where the attack took place just before midday.

Using ANPR and CCTV cameras, police officers were able to identify Saunders and, on 1 April, arrested him as he tried to leave the country.

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Further investigation at Saunders' home address found a handle believed to be the weapon used in the attack as well.

He was initially charged with GBH with intent and pleaded not guilty, but saw the strength of the case against him and pleaded guilty to GBH without intent the day before he was due to stand trial, and the court accepted the plea.

As well as 28 months imprisonment, he was given a six-year restraining order.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Harry Bass said: "This was a brutal assault in broad daylight. The victim has undergone extensive surgery and recovery following this attack – it was vital Saunders was jailed for his violent actions."