THE family of a hammer attack victim are disappointed the man who assaulted him was not jailed for longer.

Brian Moore, 31, of Dickson House, Lemsford Road, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, was imprisoned for five years and three months at Harrow Crown Court on Friday, August 30 for causing 18-year-old A-level student and semi-professional goalkeeper, Liam McDonagh, grievous bodily harm with intent, and for possession of an offensive weapon.

Liam’s older sister Rosie Higgs told the Observer afterwards: “He got five years but is only going to serve half, which is ridiculous really. He has come up with all these excuses, like he has to look after his children, to get a lesser sentence.”

Liam, of Long Elmes, Harrow, suffered a depressed skull fracture from Moore smashing the claw hammer on his head after a fracas at a party at Shanakee pub, in High Street, Wealdstone, in February.

The 18-year-old was in a coma and in intensive care for a week.

Rosie said her brother was unable to sit his A-level examinations this summer at Whitmore High School, West Harrow, because he was ill and had to defer plans to go to college. She said he gets tired easily and is seeing a psychiatrist for long-lasting problems and has been put on restricted duties at his job at Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium in Islington, north London, although he now rarely works.

Liam may need another operation to insert a metal plate in his head to protect his brain.

The former Watford FC Centre of Excellence student has had to call time on a flourishing football career between the sticks for Uxbridge FC.

Rosie said: “It’s giving up football that had hit him the most as he’s being playing since he was nine. People got worried about him hitting his head.”

The only way for Moore to get a stiffer jail term would be if the family could persuade the Attorney General Dominic Grieve to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.

Rosie said: “We are not too sure what’s going on, but the police have been very supportive.

“Detective Mr Kay and his team have been fantastic throughout the whole case. It’s the courts that have let us down.”