A man has been jailed for 24 years for attempted murder after attacking a stranger in a pub with an axe, in an "outburst of rage".

David Perry, of St Margarets Place, Stradishall, near Newmarket, appeared in Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, April 19.

The 40-year-old had been found guilty by a jury on January 17 this year.

Judge Martyn Levett condemned the attempted murder as "a grave crime", a "shocking piece of behaviour", and added that the CCTV was "graphic".

"The jury came to the conclusion that you did intend to kill him at that time," he told the court when sentencing him.

"I have no reason to understand why you came back to the pub arrmed with an axe in that way."

The attack caused a 6cm laceration to a thicker area of the victim's skull, the Judge said, and if the wound had been 1cm thicker it may have caused "more serious injury or death".

The victim still struggles to find words, which worsens when he is tired, and he cannot drive his car, get his driving licence returned to him, and it has affected his ability to take his children out.

The injury was also said to have affected his sense of taste for a while after the incident.

Mitigating, Claire Matthews told the court that Perry has shown "remorse" over his actions that day, an "outburst of rage" that can be described as a "red mist descending".

"He has done everything he can to address that shortcoming in himself," Ms Matthews said.

Perry described himself during the trial as an "absolute disgrace" and accepted that his behaviour had been affected by alcohol on the night in question.

The attack occurred on March 19 last year, when Perry had been drinking alone at the Bell hotel in Clare, near Sudbury, before the victim came in with two friends.

Perry had tried to start a fight with the group and was physically ejected from the premises.

He returned a few minutes later with an axe from the back of his van, claiming that he realised he had left his phone behind and had returned with the axe as a "deterrent" in case of further trouble.

East Anglian Daily Times:

He was caught on CCTV charging at the stranger with the weapon and planting the blade on his head.

Witnesses told the court during the trial how they had heard a "loud thud" as the weapon went into the victim’s head. 

The man, who is in his 30s, was taken to hospital with head injuries and underwent surgery.

Medical experts said his injuries could have been life-threatening or left him permanently disabled.

Following the incident, Perry allegedly told a supermarket cashier that he had made "the worst decision" of his life, and while giving evidence, Perry apologised to the victim and his family.

Perry was given a 24-year prison sentence for the attempted murder charge, and an 18-month sentence for possession of a weapon, to be served concurrently to the 24 years.

He had denied attempted murder but admitted possession of an offensive weapon and wounding the victim with intent to do grievous bodily harm, a charge that was given no sentence.

He will also pay a victim surcharge of £190, and was given a restraining order to not contact the victim's family until a further order is given.

Following the sentencing, PC Jacqueline Isobel White of Suffolk Constabulary’s West CID, said: “It is very gratifying to see Perry receive this sentence.

"The victim is lucky to have survived this cowardly attack which has impacted his friends, family and all those who witnessed it.

"I would like to thank all the officers and members of police staff whose hard work has helped to secure this result.”