A former Ipswich man has been jailed for life after hitting a sleeping victim over the head with an 18-inch metal rod and leaving him severely brain damaged and “still hovering between life and death” eight months later.

Clive Malone, 27, attacked Russell Lambert, 55, and his brother Tommy, 62, at Tommy’s home in Albion Road, Yarmouth on Saturday, February 1. Both were asleep in the living room at the time.

Malone was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 16 years at Norwich Crown Court yesterday.

Malone, formerly of St Helen’s Street, Ipswich, was previously jailed for three-and-a-half years in December 2011 for knifepoint robberies at The Uni Shop in Grimwade Street and Emeny News in St Helen’s Street, both in Ipswich.

Yesterday, prosecutor Andrea Lock said Malone struck Russell about four times on the head, causing “life-changing, appalling injuries” and Tommy once.

Tommy had a gash to the top of his head, but the court heard his injuries would have been worse if he had not been wearing a thick, fur hat.

The court heard that Russell remains bedbound, needs 24-hour care, cannot move or speak, and his chances of recovery are poor.

Malone, who had been living at a house of multiple occupancy in Paget Road in the town, had pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm, one count of attempted grievous bodily harm and aggravated burglary and was found guilty of one count of attempted murder in August following the incident.

The court heard Malone had visited the two brothers earlier that Saturday to celebrate Tommy’s birthday. Russell, who normally lives in London, had made a surprise visit to Tommy and a party was being held. Malone had a minor spat with Russell and, at around 8.45pm that evening, was seen walking towards Albion Road wearing a scarf across his face. Malone, who had been released from prison on licence after two knifepoint robberies, entered the address and attacked both brothers, before stealing Russell’s laptop and leaving. The brothers, however, were found the next morning by a friend and Russell was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Durham, who led the enquiry, said: “The sentence accurately reflects the severity of the incident.”

Simon Gladwell, for Malone, said it was a “one-off” and added: “He would not do anything like this if he were not in drink and drugs.”