by Keith Hunt

A homeless thug who attacked another man with a claw hammer while they were living in tents in a graveyard has been jailed for six years.

Drunken Paul Arkwright lashed out after Anthony Burclaff called him a muppet during an argument.

The blow struck the victim on the head and also smashed his left index finger, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

Arkwright, 48, of no fixed address, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Because he is considered to be a risk of causing further serious harm, a judge imposed an extended sentence, which will mean him being on licence for a further four years.

Arkwright and Mr Burclaff were sleeping in tents at the cemetery in Dock Road, Gillingham, when the attack happened on January 13 last year.

Martin Yale, prosecuting, said Arkwright was often “having a go” at Mr Burclaff and the day before the assault the victim called him a muppet.

They came to blows but it did not last long. Because of the trouble a friend allowed Mr Burclaff to stay the night at his house.

He returned to the tent the next day and fell asleep. Arkwright returned in the afternoon with two other men.

One of the men warned Mr Burclaff: “Keep your mouth shut, he is upset.”

Arkwright told one of the men to pass him the hammer. He did so and Arkwright put it on the ground. He then picked it up and swung it at the victim.

“He hit him on the back of the head with force,” said Mr Yale. “Mr Burclaff covered his head with his hands to fend off the blows.

“He struck him again. The blows landed on his index finger with considerable force. His finger was smashed and bleeding profusely.”

Mr Burclaff ran from the tent and went to a public library to get help.

He was going into shock. The victim was given first aid and then taken to hospital.

Mr Burclaff was then sent to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for specialist treatment to the broken finger. He had a cut to his scalp.

The prosecutor said Arkwright had a number of previous convictions for violence.