A VIOLENT drunk who attacked a 7ft tall celebrity bodyguard with a bottle has been jailed for five years.

Darren Woodford, 22, was convicted of causing “gentle giant’’ James Hilling grievous bodily harm with intent in an attack which a judge said could have killed or maimed him.

Jurors at Salisbury Crown Court heard how the father-of-two from Drake Close, New Milton, had bottled Mr Hilling, who weighs 22 stone and provides personal protection for DJs Dizzee Rascal and Tim Westwood.

The attack severed an artery after Woodford smashed the bottle over Mr Hilling’s head outside the Ashley Hotel in New Milton on November 30 last year.

The victim managed to walk home but collapsed and was later rushed to Southampton General Hospital where he received nine stitches in his head wounds.

The court heard how Woodford had downed six double vodkas and Red Bulls and also taken cocaine on the night of the attack.

Mr Hilling wasn’t able to work for four months and is still attempting to secure compensation for his injuries and £15,000 in lost earnings.

Prosecutor David Jenkins said the assault had “a considerable psychological effect’’ on Mr Hilling, adding: “He is now far more wary of going out; because of his size youths like this try picking on him.’’ In Woodford’s defence, the court was told that he regretted Mr Hilling’s injuries and was “a hard-working young man’’.

Woodford was willing to take part in any programme which would prevent him from coming before the courts again.

Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC told him: “That evening you drunk far too much and picked on James Hilling. He happens to be a particularly tall man and was described as a gentle giant – in my view an apt description.

“James Hilling gave no provocation to you whatsoever for your behaviour but you were intent on fighting him and causing him really serious injury, affected by drink or drugs or both. But that is no excuse whatsoever.

“You could easily have killed him or at the very least maimed him for life. Nothing that can be said on your behalf minimises the seriousness of this offence. I have to impose a lengthy sentence to reflect the gravity of what you did that night.’’