A teenager has been jailed for his part in what a judge called a frenzied, terrifying and unrestrained attack on guests at a party in Dover.

Thaddeus Wilson, 19, armed himself with a claw hammer and attacked two of the party-goers around the head, causing serious injuries. One of the victims needed 24 stitches in her scalp and was told by hospital staff that if the injury had been just millimetres lower it could have killed her.

Wilson, who has no previous convictions, admitted wounding a male victim and a female victim, destroying property and possessing a claw hammer on August 25.

Judge Rupert Lowe jailed him for a total of four years and eight months.

Cameron Lawson, 21, of Shooters Hill Road, Dover, admitted affray for his part in the attack and was jailed for 16 months.

Tom Dunn, prosecuting at Canterbury Crown Court, said in the early hours of Friday, August 25, two parties were taking place near each other in Dover: one at Lawson’s home and one in Balfour Road.

"He hit the victim in the head with a claw hammer. He was swinging it around indiscriminately" - Tom Dunn, prosecuting

A brick was thrown through the window of Lawson’s flat and he and Wilson went to the house in Balfour Road.

In a statement the female victim said she was at a party there with her boyfriend, the male victim, when the door was kicked in. The male victim went to investigate, and she said she saw Lawson, with Wilson behind him, pushing her boyfriend back.

“Wilson learned over and hit (the male victim) in the head with a claw hammer,” Mr Dunn said. “He was swinging it around indiscriminately.”

The female victim received a deep cut to the side of her head in the attack and has been left with a scar in her hairline and constant headaches.

The male victim said he felt a sudden blow to his head and another two hits. Blood started pouring down his face. He said he saw his girlfriend attacked and hit hard. In addition to the head injuries his hand was broken and he may need an operation on a displaced knuckle.

Mr Dunn said Lawson had four previous findings of guilt and convictions, including battery and public order offences.

Anthony Hook, defending Wilson, of The Street, West Hougham, said he had been drinking and had also taken cannabis and ketamine.

“He has a great deal of remorse,” Mr Hook said. “He is appalled, disgusted and astonished at what he has done. This behaviour was out of character.”

Mr Hook said Wilson had sought help himself and was seeing a drug counsellor and had a loving and supportive family.

Daniel Obi, defending Lawson, said he was deeply remorseful. Text messages had been exchanged between people at both parties and when the brick was thrown through his window he reacted by running after the people he believed had done it.

“The victims of the attack were in no way connected to the breaking of the window,” Mr Obi said.

Judge Lowe said Lawson had suffered a violent provocation by having a brick thrown through his window, He had then thrown that brick through the door window of the house in Balfour Road in retaliation.

He said there must have been some reason why someone threw a brick through Lawson’s window which then escalated into the attack.

“This was an extremely serious and terrifying attack,” Judge Lowe said. He told Wilson: “You have gone from zero to one of the most serious offences on the statute book.”