Seven gang members who ambushed a rival with samurai swords and attempted to hack off his head have been sentenced to 63 and a half years in prison.

The Sri Lankan mobsters carried out the sickening attack in Braemar Ave, Alperton, leaving victim Arulmurugan 'Arul' Sebamalai, 23, with his hand hanging from his wrist.

Police seized blood stained knives, baseball bats and pick-axe handles studded with bolts from the violent gang, who were led by Senthurrajah Thavapalasingham - nicknamed Psycho, 21.

The seven men, who belonged to gang outfit the East Ham Boys, travelled to Brent from Newham, east London, with the intention of killing members of rival Tamil mob DMX.

They were joined by 18 fellow mob members and pounced upon six of their targets as they set off to play a game of cricket.

The Old Bailey jury heard how the mob shouted: "Slash him Psycho, kill him," to encourage samurai sword-wielding Thavapalasingham, as they threw missiles at the rivals car.

Mr Sebamalai and his friends armed themselves cricket bats and wickets to defend themselves, but were overpowered and chased through the streets of Alperton.

During the attack the 23-year-old fell to the ground and before Thavapalasingham and fellow attacker Kirubananathrada Gunaratnam, 32, attempted to behead him.

He tried to protect his head with a cricket bat, but the razor sharp sword sliced through his arm, exposing the bone.

The fight was broken up after a police car, traveling back from Notting Hill Carnival, drove into the area.

Officers immediately arrested a number of bloodstained gang members.

Since the arrests, police have said that criminal damage in East Ham has fallen by 80 per cent and anto-social behaviour has fallen by half.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Andy Chalmers, said: "The defendants thought they were above the law, their conviction and lengthy sentence for this pre planned and brutal attack proves they were not.

This result sends a clear message that the MPS is dedicated to tackling violent and gang related crime. "

The four-month attempted murder trial ended on Friday last week (18), with the jury finding Gunaratnam and Thavapalasingham guilty of attempted murder and violent disorder. They were sentenced to a life sentce with a minimum of 12 years inside.

Fellow gang members Sabesan Sivaneswaran, 20, Aramugan Paratheeban, 24, Edward Jeganathan, 26, Selvarajah Mayuran, 28, and Santosh Panthaplavil-Sasidharan, 26, were also convicted of violent disorder.

They were given sentences ranging from life to three years but all denied their parts in the attack.