A violent thug who left a victim with a fractured skull after a brutal hammer attack has been jailed for 13 years.

James Fripp, 42, of King Henry’s Drive, New Addington, was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon.

He attacked a 49-year-old on Spring Lane at around 12.40am on May 7 with a hammer, causing a fractured skull.

A 51-year-old man intervened, but he was hit with the hammer before Fripp stamped on him until he was unconscious.

The second victim suffered extensive cuts and bruising from the attack.

Others offered help and two young men restrained Fripp before police arrived and arrested him.

Fripp, who was not known to any of the victims, pleaded not guilty and claimed he was acting in self-defence.

However, after four days the jury returned with a unanimous guilty verdict on all counts.

Detective Constable Robert Sidney said: “The actions of the first Good Samaritan, who confronted an enraged man armed with a hammer, are testament to his bravery and I was delighted to see the Judge order a well deserved £500 cash award to him for his courage in assisting a fellow citizen.

“Had it not been for the quick thinking immediate actions of the members of the public on Spring Lane that night, there is a very real possibility that the victim would have suffered life changing or even fatal injuries.

“The effects of becoming a victim of violent crime remain far longer than the time taken for injuries to heal - I hope that the victims and the courageous witnesses in this case find a measure of comfort in the sentence handed down.”