A MAN who nearly killed someone he met at a pub with a pickaxe handle has been jailed for 10 years.
Mark Gillard, of Radnor Grove, Uxbridge, launched a "relentless attack" on his 33-year-old victim, who suffered a fractured skull and brain damage, and was left in a coma.
The savage assault happened outside The Prince of Wales pub in Harlington Road, Uxbridge, at around midnight on November 27 last year.
The victim, who had been drinking at the pub, was outside smoking when he got into a dispute with another customer, Kevin Frame.
During the argument, Frame went to his van to get the pickaxe shaft, and started waving it about.
A struggle broke out, and Gillard grabbed the weapon. The man tried to run away, but Gillard chased him across the busy Uxbridge Road dual carriageway.
As he got to the edge of the pavement, witnesses told police that Gillard first hit him across the leg to stop him escaping, before hitting him on the head repeatedly.
The 43-year-old ran off after being disturbed by a passing minicab and hid in an outbuilding of a local house.
An immediate search took place and police found him an hour later. He was then arrested.
Gillard was convicted of GBH with intent at Isleworth Crown Court after a short trial in September, and sentenced yesterday (Wednesday, November 13).
Frame, 57, of York Avenue, Hayes, admitted affray and was jailed for 14 months.
DC Stephen Rothwell from Hillingdon CID, said: "This was a relentless attack on a man who was running away from his attacker.
"[Gillard's] intention was to inflict to serious harm. The victim effectively died twice at the scene and was only saved due to the intervention of LAS and HEMS. He has injuries from which he will never recover fully."
