A thug who smashed a pensioner round the face with a shovel in a row over landscape gardening has been caged for nine years.

Gary Lloyd, 27, punctured Michael Good’s lung and smashed his teeth out in a frenzied attack in Albion Close, Herne, April 11 last year.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that Lloyd had a history of violence and had assaulted police officers in the past.

He had gone to Mr Good’s house after leafleting the area and offering landscaping services.

But Mr Good, 73, became concerned that Lloyd was not up to the work he had been asked to do for a price of £1,000 and asked him to stop.

Prosecutor Helen Cooper said Lloyd flew into a rage and struck Mr Good in the face and body with the shovel he had been using.

His teeth were knocked out and blood poured from his mouth. Mr Good, who also suffered a punctured lung, spent three days in hospital.

Mrs Cooper said: “This attack will remain with Mr Good for many years and may never leave him.

“He has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and is in discomfort on a daily basis.”

The court heard that Lloyd was involved in a road rage incident January 2010 when a female off-duty police officer tried to intervene. Lloyd managed to wedge her up against his car and repeatedly slammed his door into her.

"It has been a horrendous nightmare..." - Michael Good

He was convicted of causing her actual bodily harm and was also convicted of the battery of a police community support officer at the scene of road accident in Edenbridge in January of this year.

Lloyd had pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Good, but was convicted at trial.

Judge Rupert Lowe told him: “You have a serious problem which is your inability to control your violent temper when you are in conflict.

“You severely beat up an elderly man with a weapon, a long weapon which allowed for significant leverage. In court you told transparent lies.

“All of this your doing through not knowing how to control your temper.”

Jailing Lloyd for nine years, Judge Lowe also imposed a restraining order indefinitely banning him from contacting Mr Good or going to Albion Close, Herne.

As he was taken down, Lloyd said: “God bless you judge, you got it wrong. I hope God forgives you.”

Following the sentencing, Mr Good says he has suffered irreversible nerve damage which will be a permanent reminder of the ordeal.

He said: "It has been a horrendous nightmare and no one really knows what I have been through, but I have got to move on and I will, but it will need time.

"Be very wary of people who post flyers through your letterbox because you don’t know who they are.

"Only use people you know or who have been recommended to you by someone you trust.

"I would like to pay tribute to detective constable Keith Rochford for his diligence and sheer professionalism. I firmly believe it was his input that got the case to court."