A father suffered a severe head injury after he left a party in the early hours and was struck with a hammer, a court heard.

William McMaster was found lying in a Maidstone street with part of his skull shattered and blood pouring from the wound.

Trenton Musgrave wielded the hammer and his friend Liam Quinnell joined in the attack with kicks, it was alleged.

Quinnell, of Bicknor Road, Maidstone, and Musgrave, of Melville Road, Maidstone, deny attempted murder and an alternative charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Mr McMaster, 35, had been to a party at Telford House in Boxley Road on June 14 this year. While there, Quinnell, 26, and Musgrave, 29, turned up with Alan Murray.

They were all drunk. Musgrave was drinking rum out of a bottle. Mr McMaster considered Musgrave to be a friend. He did not know Quinnell.

Prosecutor Andrew Espley said one of the three caused trouble and they were all asked to leave by the host Brian Johnston.

Mr McMaster left at about the same time to check his car parked nearby. He joined the three after Musgrave asked him if he would like to smoke some cannabis.

They drove off but Musgrave and Mr Murray argued. The car was stopped and Musgrave punched Mr Murray. Mr McMaster pulled Musgrave away. Mr Murray ran off.

Musgrave got back into the car and went looking for Mr Murray. He drove at Mr McMaster causing him to take evasive action, it was said.

Residents in Boxley Road heard a commotion near Telford House. Realising he was going to be attacked by Musgrave, Mr McMaster punched him in the face, the jury was told.

Mr Espley said Musgrave then ran after Mr McMaster and struck him between the shoulder blades.

"His eyes were rolling into the back of his head and he was gurgling and choking and spitting up blood..." - Andrew Espley, prosecuting

"He was standing in front of him holding a hammer in his right hand," he told the jury. "He tried to hit him back. The next thing he remembers is being hit in the head and feeling a sudden and immense pain.

"After that, he remembers being in an ambulance. He was unaware what role Mr Quinnell played."

One woman living in the street heard a voice say "I am going to kill you" and then a series of blows. She went out and saw Mr McMaster bleeding heavily.

"His eyes were rolling into the back of his head and he was gurgling and choking and spitting up blood," said Mr Espley. "She was very fearful of the outcome."

Mr McMaster was taken to Pembury Hospital, where he told a police officer: "This is what Trenton done to me. He is a coward."

A CT scan revealed he had a depressed skull fracture. A pathologist said such a blow could prove fatal. Severe force would have been required to cause the injury.

The trial continues.

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