A MAN has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years for attacking his friend with a baseball bat before marching him to a cashpoint and stealing money.

William 'Billy' Donovan, 39, of Norfolk Terrace, Cambridge, left his victim with serious injuries following the attack in Cambridge on April 24 last year.

The court heard the incident began at an address in Minerva Way when Donovan became aggressive after the 43-year-old victim refused to help him use his computer.

Donovan punched and kicked him before going outside and smashing up his car with a road sign. Donovan left and the victim went home in a taxi but about 20 minutes later Donovan burst into the Cambridge address with a baseball bat.

He struck him several times, causing serious injuries including a broken arm, before stealing items including an X Box and a pair of binoculars from his house.

Donovan also marched him to the nearby cashpoint and made him withdraw £250 which he also stole.

Last month, Donovan was found guilty of offences including battery, criminal damage, aggravated burglary and robbery at Cambridge Crown Court.

On Monday he was jailed at the same court.

Another man, Steven Collier, 38, of Saint Aidans Avenue, Holystone, North Tyneside, had been found guilty of witness intimidation last month and was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and was placed under a three month curfew. The court heard Collier had called the victim in an attempt to prevent Donovan being convicted.

DC Ben Martin, who investigated, said: "This was a brutal attack and a terrifying and traumatic experience for the victim. Donovan became extremely violent after no provocation and the seriousness of his offences are reflected in the sentence given today."

Picture of William Donovan