A Shropshire man has been jailed for 10 years after he admitted attacking his childhood best friend, leaving him so badly injured a passer-by thought he was dead.

Wayne Baker launched the attack on Daniel Grove, his friend of 20 years, after the pair had been drinking in Telford, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday.

Mr Grove was left unconscious after the “unexplained” assault during which Baker stamped on his head about 20 times, the court was told.

The court heard Mr Grove sustained several fractures to his face, including his nose and jaw bone, and he had to have surgery to repair the damage. He was in hospital for four days.

Baker, 26, of Dodmoor Grange, Hollinswood, Telford, previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Grove on April 11.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and Judge Robin Onions said he would serve six years and eight months and then be released on licence for the remainder of his term.

Bleak

Judge Onions added: “Unless you get to grips with your problems the future for you is bleak.”

Mr Andrew Barkley, prosecuting, said on the day the two men, who had been best friends since they were five, had various alcoholic drinks before catching a bus home.

He said Mr Grove was drunk and had become aggressive and put his hands around Baker’s throat when they got off the bus in Stirchley Avenue.

He said Mr Grove was so drunk he could not inflict any real damage on Baker.

But he said Baker pushed his friend away and then punched him causing him to fall to the floor.

Mr Barkley said: “He then kicked and stamped on Daniel while he was on the ground.”

Mr Barkley said during the attack a witness drove his car slowly at Baker to make him stop. He said witnesses saw that Mr Grove was unconscious and covered in blood and that Baker stamped on his head about 20 times.

He said Mr Grove was so badly injured one witness thought he was dead.

Mr Barkley said Baker was not sure why he had attacked his friend and later that night he telephoned the hospital and his friend’s father to see if he was okay before telephoning police to hand himself in.

Mr Mark Sharman, for Baker, said Baker fully accepted what he did was wrong but he had no explanation for it.

He said: “This is a very serious and sad case.”

By Emma Kasprzak