AN ATTACKER who kicked and stabbed his victim during a “severe and frightening” assault has been jailed for eight years.

Jamie Smallwood’s victim had to undergo major surgery following the fight at a Bournemouth flat, and will probably have to keep the metal plates in his head for life.

Smallwood, 22, of Palmerston Road, repeatedly stabbed and kicked Piyam Akbari, who was shorter and weaker than him, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Mr Akbari, whose skull was fractured during the attack, said in a statement: “I am now unable to sleep properly. I’m scared to go out and scared of the dark. I’m embarrassed to go out.”

He has been left with some scarring and was prescribed medication for post-traumatic stress in the aftermath of the incident on March 19, the court heard.

Metal plates have been fitted under Mr Akbari’s eyes and in his jaw, prosecutor Barnaby Shaw said.

Two knife wounds to his chest and one to his arm were not as serious.

In mitigation, David Lyons said Smallwood was not a vicious man.

Mr Akbari, 28, had hit himself around the head with a mirror first, he added.

Describing the events as “bizarre... short and brutish” Mr Lyons said: “He was thrust into a situation which was completely unexpected and acted on the spur of the moment.”

Mr Akbari had objected to his girlfriend inviting Smallwood into her home in Commercial Road, Mr Lyons said, and at around 7am, the two men got into a fight.

Jurors found Smallwood guilty of wounding with intent.

Judge John Harrow said: “You became agitated and attacked him for some reason, the exact nature of which I will never know.”

Smallwood easily overcame his victim, knocking him to the floor, Judge Harrow said.

“The arm injury was because he raised it trying to ward off your blows,” he said.

He added: “He was defenceless in that situation and you kicked him hard in the face.

“He has a degree of permanent scarring, in addition to the inevitable psychological consequences of such a severe and frightening assault.”