A man who beat his victim with a crowbar in an unprovoked attack has been jailed for nine years.

Jade Robinson, 39, of St Clements Road, Westgate-on-Sea, beat his victim in the chest and head leaving him with an 8cm wound to his scalp and a fractured left rib before making his escape.

Robinson saw red after he had brushed past his victim earlier in the High Street, Birchington, and the man in his 40s asked not to be touched.

Robinson was identified by witnesses after the attack in Minnis Road, Birchington, in August 2013 and failed to attend the police station to answer bail for another matter.

He evaded capture for nine months until officers tracked him down and arrested him in May 2014.

"It was a brutal and unprovoked attack which will have lasting effects for those involved" - DC Peter Edwards

When interviewed, Robinson said he had felt threatened by the victim so got what he claimed was a stick from the boot of his car and beat him before returning to the car and driving off.

He said he had sold the car less than two weeks later due to his actions and did not answer his police bail as he was scared of what he had done.

Robinson pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm when he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigating officer DC Peter Edwards said: "There was simply no excuse for Robinson's actions, it was a brutal and unprovoked attack which will have lasting effects for those involved."