Man jailed for hammer attack outside club

Lewis McMahon was originally charged with attempted murder

An attacker who repeatedly struck a man about the head with a hammer outside a working men's club as part of a feud has been jailed.

Lewis McMahon, 30, was originally charged with attempted murder after laying in wait and attacking his victim outside Lemington Labour Club in Newcastle in November, the city's crown court heard.

The victim was left with a 2in (6cm)-long gash to his head and was "lucky" not to be more seriously hurt, the court heard.

McMahon admitted intentional wounding and possessing a claw hammer and knuckle-duster and was jailed for five years and four months.

McMahon, a floor tiler, was seen on CCTV waiting outside the club on 29 November for his victim to arrive, prosecutor Jolyon Perks said.

As the other man arrived at about 22:00, McMahon pulled a hammer from his shorts and started raining blows, striking him in the head.

As the victim lay on the ground, McMahon hit him five more times before someone kicked him away, the court heard.

'Utterly outrageous'

McMahon, of Wooler House in Throckley, Newcastle, then fled in a taxi, the court heard.

The victim had not supported the prosecution, Mr Perks said.

Recorder Nicholas Worsley said the attack was part of an ongoing feud for which McMahon had previously received a suspended prison sentence.

He said McMahon and others had previously been brawling in the city centre "in an utterly outrageous way".

The judge said the attack outside the club was "clearly premeditated" and McMahon was "lucky the injury was not more severe than it was".

McMahon also admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance on a separate occasion and was banned for four and a half years.