A thug involved in an unprovoked hammer attack on a teenage boy has been jailed for two years.

Prem Kaila, 21, and an unknown accomplice, set upon a 17-year-old boy in Wimborne Avenue, Hayes, on April 5, 2013, fracturing his skull.

Kaila and his victim were known to each other, the court heard.

Kaila, who lives in Cranborne Waye, Hayes, near where the assault took place, was convicted of malicious wounding, but acquitted of the more serious offence of GBH and wounding with intent, following a trial.

He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday last week, April 25.

During his trial, jurors were shown CCTV images of the incident and an impact statement by the victim was read to the court.

Sentencing Kaila, Recorder Burns described the assault as ‘cowardly and disgraceful’.

“You blocked the victim’s way and used kicks, fists and the hammer,” the Recorder said.

“He fell backwards and you then ran away and left him bleeding in the road.

“A scan showed that he had suffered a fractured skull, and he also sustained a nasty laceration on his cheek.

“You played a part in inflicting serious harm on this man.”

It was accepted by the prosecution and defence barristers that although the attack was a joint enterprise, the unknown accomplice had brandished the hammer and Kaila had been unaware his accomplice was armed and likely to use the weapon.

This suspect, described as the ‘main aggressor’, has not been identified.

Chetna Patel, prosecuting, said: “There was a degree of planning and premeditation.

“The car Mr Kaila was in pulled around a corner, out of sight, and lay in wait for the victim to approach.”

She added: “The victim has recovered from his physical injuries, but there have been ongoing psychological effects.”

Kaila, who had denied GBH, was of previous good character with only a caution for cannabis possession on his record, the court heard.

He will serve half of his term in custody, and half on licence.

Last week, Harrow man Kantilal Varsani, of Malvern Gardens, was jailed for 15 years following a brutal attack on a 60-year-old with a claw hammer.