CRAIG JONES FROM ALFORD SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL HAMMER ATTACK IN ALFORD

A man described as 'dangerous' has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison after a violent and sustained assault involving a hammer. Craig Jones, aged 32 and residing on Station Road in Mablethorpe, was found guilty of attacking another man in a particularly savage manner, which included repeatedly striking his victim over the head with a hammer during a prolonged assault.

The incident took place in the early hours of April 5th, when Jones was allowed entry into the victim’s home on Christopher Road, Alford, at approximately 01:00 GMT. Once inside, Jones proceeded to carry out a brutal attack that left the victim with severe injuries. According to court reports, Jones then restrained his victim by tying him up and subsequently placing him inside a cupboard, actions that compounded the severity of the assault.

Lincoln Crown Court heard that Jones justified his actions by claiming it was a revenge attack, citing a history of conflict between himself and the victim. However, Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight dismissed this explanation, stating she did not believe the assault was motivated by revenge. Instead, she characterized Jones as a dangerous offender, which led to her imposing an extended sentence. Upon release, Jones will be subject to a two-year license period, ensuring continued supervision.

Prosecutor David Eager detailed the attack, noting that Jones gained entry into the victim’s residence shortly after midnight. He remarked, “Mercifully, the injuries inflicted were not as severe as they could have been.” Despite this, the court was shown evidence of significant bruising to the victim’s head and eyes, along with a 4cm cut to his scalp. The victim himself provided a harrowing impact statement, revealing that he still suffers from nightmares and has never experienced such a traumatic event before.

It was also revealed that Jones had a criminal history, including a lengthy prison sentence for aggravated burglary. During the proceedings, Jones admitted to charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm related to the attack, as well as theft involving a bank card and money stolen from the victim.

In mitigation, it was argued that Jones lost his temper following a comment made by the victim, which contributed to his violent outburst. The court described the attack in detail, noting that Jones struck the victim at least six or seven times with the hammer. Afterward, he used speaker cables to tie the victim up and stuffed a cloth into his mouth. Jones then dragged the victim out of the room and confined him inside a linen cupboard, where he remained for approximately 20 minutes until Jones retrieved a toolkit he kept inside the residence.

Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight emphasized the brutality of the assault, underscoring the seriousness of Jones’s actions and the threat he poses to the public. The sentence reflects the court’s view of the attack as a particularly dangerous and violent act, warranting a lengthy period of incarceration and extended supervision upon release.