A DALTON man told police “I chopped him up, so fair enough” as he was arrested for attacking his neighbour and former friend with an axe.

Timothy Nickson, 42, of Broughton Road, Dalton, was today jailed for seven years at Preston Crown Court after admitting a charge of wounding with intent and possession of an axe.

The court heard how Nickson took an axe to the home of Alan Kendall at around 8pm on June 22 after a row. The defendant used the weapon to launch a sustained attack on the victim.

Nickson then left the address and police received a report of a man walking the streets covered in blood and carrying an axe.

Nickson was spotted by a Cumbria police officer entering the Express Market store. He was wearing a white T-shirt covered in blood and still carrying the axe. The officer followed Nickson inside, detained and handcuffed him.

After Nickson was cautioned, he told the officer: “Well, I chopped him up, so fair enough.” A member of the public stood nearby heard Nickson say: “I’ve killed him, I’ve killed him.”

While Nickson was being apprehended, the victim was located at an address in Broughton Road. He had suffered numerous wounds to his head, some described as deep lacerations.

Preston Crown Court today heard that Nickson got heavily intoxicated that day after losing his job. He was found to be drunk at work, then got arrested for a breach of the peace. He was also suffering from other issues, including depression, debts and grief. He went round to the victim's house, a neighbour and friend, with alcohol.

Nickson become aggressive at the victim's home, he was ejected and then went to get an axe from his house.

The hearing was told that Nickson delivered seven blows with the axe, and another with the back of the axe which also caused a shoulder injury to the victim.

Prosecutor, Mr Paul Brookwell, said: "The defendant returns to the house and hits the door with the axe. A confrontation and struggle takes place.

"It culminates with the defendant striking the complaint with the axe. In the course of this the defendant is also injured.

"He (Nickson) is seen walking down the high street carrying an axe and covered in blood. He went into a shop and was arrested there.

"The victim had seven large cuts to his head. He had to have 34 stitches or staples.

"This was a sustained assault, it's not just one blow."

Mr Jacob Dyer, defence barrister for Nickson, said: "Clearly this involved a number of blows with the hatchet. Thankfully there are not more serious injuries. It is very fortunate, and that is to do with the size of the hatchet. Thankfully it was a smaller axe.

The defence counsel said Nickson reacted to the manner in which he was ejected and then went across the road and armed himself with an axe.

Mr Dyer said Nickson has very little recollection because he was heavily intoxicated. He said Nickson has problems with depression and alcohol, and would drink to excess due to his problems, including grieving the death of his parents. At the time of the incident he had lost his job and it had recently been the anniversary of the death of his father.

Mr Dyer said: "The day before he had worked a double shift at a local hotel. He was found to be drunk at work. He was arrested for breach of the peace and he lost his job. That day he continued drinking. That afternoon he was very drunk by the time he got to the house."

The court heard Nickson had no record for violence.

Mr Dyer said: "He is shocked by what he has done and wants to apologise. It was out of character.

Judge Mr Andrew Woolman said he agreed it was out of character, and said Nickson was obviously at a "very low ebb", but said it was "an act of retaliation, you went back to the house when you could have stayed at home."

Judge Woolman said it was "a serious act of violence" and required a "substantial sentence".

Detective Inspector Helen Curme said: “Nickson carried out a horrific, violent attack on a man who had no means to defend himself.

“This incident – as with any incident involving a bladed weapon - could easily have ended in tragedy.

“Today, Nickson has been held accountable for his actions and has received a sentence which shows how seriously the criminal justice system takes such violent, armed assaults.”