A man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after hitting another man nine times with a metal pipe in Aldershot.

Shane O’Doherty, 41, of Birchett Road, Farnborough lunged at the victim, a man in his 30s, and punched him three times in the head before striking him repeatedly with a metal pipe.

The attack, on Short Street on Wednesday, May 15 last year, left the victim with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain. O’Doherty fled the scene, leaving the pipe on the road, which was later recovered by officers.

Winchester Crown Court heard that the assault followed an altercation involving O’Doherty’s girlfriend on Nelson Street at around 7pm.

He was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Monday, November 10.

Detective Constable Chloe Walker, from Hart and Rushmoor CID, said: “This was a shocking incident which left the victim needing to be treated for serious injuries.

“Our officers launched an investigation and worked tirelessly to ensure we had enough evidence to charge O’Doherty and put this case before the courts.

“Hopefully, the victim can move forward with his life knowing that O’Doherty will spend a considerable amount of time behind bars for what he did.

“Our commitment to tackling serious violent crime continues and I hope this case sends a strong message to anyone who chooses to carry a weapon or become involved in serious violence – no good ever comes from it. The consequences destroy lives forever.”