Man jailed for chopping off victim's thumbs with axe

A man has been jailed for life after chopping off a man's thumbs with an axe.

Stephen Bryant, from St Leonards-on-Sea, attacked his 36-year-old acquaintance in East Sussex in May last year.

The victim initially refused to tell police many details but said that he had been held down and attacked with an axe. He suffered serious lacerations to each hand, severed arteries and tendons and crushed bones.

The victim wasn't supportive of the police investigation and detectives turned to phone technology to help with the case.

Detective Constable Nick O'Shaughnessy used phone messages between Bryant and his associates to prove his intentions to harm the victim.

In a text message on May 24, just a few days before the incident, Bryant texted saying 'found him boys and all in "hand" LOL', making it clear his plan for the victim.

Bryant, 39, of The Mount, St Leonards was charged in March this year with kidnap and GBH with intent, to which he pleaded not guilty.

He stood trial at Hove Crown Court between September 13 and 20 and was found of guilty of both offences.

Sentencing him to life imprisonment for the assault, with a minimum term of ten years, Judge Anthony Niblett said: "The brutality of these offences was exceptional.

"It was a brutal and sadistic attack on a vulnerable man. It was premeditated, carefully planned and well executed."

Det Con O'Shaughnessy said: "The victim's injuries to his hands were horrendous and he has undergone a large amount of surgery.

"However, he will never have the same movement in his hands again and the injury has been life-changing.

"The incident was in connection with a drugs debt. Bryant is an extremely violent man and his actions that day were vicious beyond words. He is well known in the St Leonards area and believed he was above the law.

"I am very pleased he has been sent to prison for life, which sends out a strong message that we will do everything in our power to catch and bring offenders to justice."