A HAMPSHIRE teenager has today been locked up for nine years after attacking a man with a 3ft sword four days before Christmas.

Brandon Engert, 18, was living at a friend's house in Heinz Burt Close, Eastleigh, last December, when he struck Jon Barnes, fracturing his skull and leaving him blind in one eye.

Southampton Crown Court was told that Mr Barnes, 23, had been left with life-changing injuries from which he would never recover.

Mr Barnes was visiting the property on December 21 last year when he was attacked.

He and Engert began to argue on the stairs after Mr Barnes was told to leave the property. As the row escalated Engert grabbed a sword which had been found in the loft and struck him on the side of the head, the court heard.

Engert, now living at Deeping Close in Southampton, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The defendant, who was only 17 at the time of the offence, sat with his head bowed throughout the case and wept as he was sentenced to nine years in a Young Offenders' Institute.

Judge Christopher Parker described the victim's injuries as "utterly horrendous".