Hammer attacker jailed on appeal

A Rochdale man who attacked another man with a hammer has had his non-custodial sentence increased by appeal judges to a five year jail sentence.

Forty-nine year old Derry Lloyd was given a three-year community service order in March this year after pleading guilty to the assault at Manchester Crown Court.

The Court of Appeal ruled the sentence was unduly lenient and the crown court judge's sentencing decision was “flawed in principle.”

The appeal was heard after Solicitor General Edward Garnier QC said he felt the original sentence was too lenient.

Lloyd’s victim suffered permanent injuries in the attack which happened in 2009.

The BBC reported that the court heard Lloyd, who has mental health problems, followed David Reynolds, 42, into a toilet and inflicted "terrible" injuries after wrongly believing Mr Reynolds had assaulted him seven years previously.

Lloyd, who was of previous good character, had pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The appeal was heard after Solicitor General Edward Garnier QC said he felt the original sentence was too lenient.