Thug jailed for six years over vicious Holloway claw hammer attack
A thug who repeatedly smashed a man over the head with a claw hammer causing him life-changing injuries has been jailed for six years.
Mark Whyte, 45, of Bruce Castle Road, Tottenham, kicked his victim in the head and body as he laid on the ground during the attack at the Eaglet Pub, in Seven Sisters Road, Holloway, last summer.
On August 21 Whyte was drinking in the venue when he started arguing with a 25-year-old man.
He left the pub and came back 20 minutes later with two men and he started hitting the victim around the head from behind with a claw hammer.
Whyte kicked him while he was on the ground before heading down Seven Sisters Road with his two accomplices.
The victim was initially thought to be in a life-threatening condition and was taken to hospital.
He pulled through, but still suffers debilitating headaches and has not been able to return to work fully.
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Whyte was wearing a cast at the time of the attack and detectives were able to track him down via hospital records.
Litter he left in the Eaglet where he was the only punter for much of the afternoon also helped to identify him.
Det Con Sam Harris said: “The victim sustained life-changing injuries as a result of this vicious and unprovoked assault – he still suffers migraines and has not been able to return to full duties at work.
“Whyte carried out this attack in revenge over an argument, and this could so easily have become a murder investigation.
“His sentence reflects the gravity of the offence and I hope it gives the victim some comfort.”
Whyte pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced to six years in prison at Blackfriars Crown Court.
The other two assailants were never caught and the weapon was never recovered.
n Anyone with information can call 020 7421 0119 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
