A GANG who staged three hammer attacks on a Poole fitness instructor have been jailed for more than 32 years.

Keith Harby, 39, of Long Eaton, Nottingham, was convicted of conspiring with three other men of attacking Kelly Batchelor over the head with a hammer-type object outside Ashdown Centre Centre, where she worked, and outside her home.

Winchester Crown Court heard how the plan had been hatched by one man – who cannot be named for legal reasons – because his girlfriend thought he was having an affair with Ms Batchelor.

He was jailed for eight years.

Harby, who was found guilty following a two-week trial, was sent to prison for ten years.

Co-conspirators John Doyle, 35, from Alfreton, Derbyshire and Ian Edgeworth, 26, of Northwood Road, Nottingham, were jailed for seven years and four months and seven years respectively.

Earlier Robbie Northridge, 19, of no fixed above, and Lanelle Douglas, 27, of High Main Drive, Bestwood Village, Nottingham, were acquitted of the same charge.

Jurors heard how the gang had conspired to attack Miss Batchelor on three occasions.

The first took place at Ashdown Leisure Centre in Poole on August 30 last year as Miss Batchelor returned to her car.

She escaped serious injury, thanks to intervention by the public .

The second incident happened on September 4 but was unsuccessful because the gang were unable to find their target.

And on the third occasion, the following day, Miss Batchelor was attacked with a weapon as she returned home.

Prosecutor Stephen Climie said the attacks had been the result of a friendship breakdown between Miss Batchelor and the unnamed co-conspirator’s girlfriend in the early part of 2012.