A MAN who lashed out at his ex-girlfriend with a tyre wrench was jailed indefinitely on Friday.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Graham Page, 43, went to a flat in Rainham armed with the 18-inch weapon and wearing a motorcyle crash helmet and attacked 19-year-old Siobhan Gleeson in front of a two-year-old child.

Also in the flat was his intended victim, Henry McIntosh. The court was told Miss Gleeson was struck when Page swung the wrench at Mr McIntosh. She suffered extensive bruising to her back as well as wounds to her head.

Page, of Wollaston Road, Rainham, was also on the run from the police at the time of the offence. The court heard he was on licence for burglary but had failed to sign on with the police.

Imposing an indefinite sentence of imprisonment for public protection Judge James O'Mahony said: "This was a very serious and extremely violent offence."

Page was ordered to serve a minimum of three-and-a-half years before being considered for parole.

He had admitted burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr McIntosh on May 29 last year. Page was originally charged with the same offence but in relation to Miss Gleeson. This he denied, as well as an offence of kidnap.

The judge imposed no separate penalty for unrelated offences of theft, burglary and handling stolen goods committed in June and July last year.

Charlotte Buckhaven, defending, told the court his reaction was "a source of bitter regret" and Page was overcome with remorse.