A MAN who carried out a brutal sledgehammer attack before returning to finish a game of cards has been jailed.

Paul Hugh Johnson, 54, of Clarence Road, Canning Town, was sentenced to eight years behind bars on Friday, September 8, at Snaresbrook Crown Court for grievous bodily harm.

He was found guilty of the offence on Wednesday, July 12, by a jury at the same court.

Johnson accused the 39-year-old victim, who lived with him in shared accommodation in Clinton Road, opposite Wanstead Flats, of breaking his washing machine during a row on the evening of January 22, the court heard.

He then used a sledgehammer to hit the victim three times across his head and shoulders.

As the man tried to wrestle Johnson, he grabbed the hammer and fell down the stairs with the object.

The victim became unconscious as he saw Johnson chase after him with a plank of wood.

The attacker returned to his room to play cards with his partner as the victim lay unconscious with at the bottom of the stairs, bleeding.

He called the police when he regained consciousness.

Johnson was arrested that evening, charged the following day and remanded in custody at Thames Magistrates Court. He denied the interview throughout the allegation.

DC Raf Patel, investigating officer at Newham CID said: "This is a horrible and sustained attack on a fellow resident in the house. The victim is still recovering from his ordeal and is grateful to see justice served."