A THUG involved in an altercation at a restaurant returned with a lump hammer and attacked a man, fracturing his jaw.
Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard how victim David Hamilton had been in Mr Ali's Tandoori Restaurant, Prestwich, when he got involved in a row with a friend, a Mr Kelly.
The dispute moved outside and while Mr Hamilton was trying to act as a peacemaker, John Paul Grimshaw approached, hitting Mr Kelly twice.
Grimshaw, aged 32, left the group but did not stay gone for long.
"For reasons best known to yourself, you chose to arm yourself with a hammer and returned to the scene some 12 minutes later," Recorder Jon Close told Grimshaw.
"That hammer you kept hidden such as neither the complainant nor Mr Kelly could see it as you approached them."
Grimshaw pulled out the weapon and attacked both men.
The hammer struck Mr Hamilton in the face, fracturing his jaw in two places.
"A second blow was a full force swing to the head which fortunately missed," said Recorder Close.
"The effects of that blow, had it landed, could have been devastating, if not fatal. It is only good fortune that it did not."
Lisa Boocock, prosecuting, told how Grimshaw then attacked Mr Kelly and chased the injured Mr Hamilton into the road.
Grimshaw, of Leroy Drive, Blackley, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.
Michael James, defending, told the court: "The defendant is still at a loss to explain why this offence occurred.
"He had gone out for takeaway and had no problem with Mr Hamilton. He can't really explain why there was an altercation with Mr Kelly."
But Mr James said Grimshaw claims he was struck in the face with a glass.
"He was clearly very annoyed and upset about that," he added.
"He can't really explain in any detail why he returned and what he returned with."
Both Grimshaw and Mr Hamilton went to hospital and each contacted the police to complain about the other intimidating them.
Grimshaw, who has a partner and children, and previous convictions for offences including violence, handed himself into police the next day.
Recorder Close sentenced him to three years and nine months in prison and made a restraining order banning him from contacting Mr Hamilton or going near his home or workplace.
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