A man who attacked a neighbour with a claw hammer has been jailed for 15 years for attempted murder.

Kantilal Varsani, 46 of Malvern Gardens, Harrow, was sentenced yesterday at Harrow Crown Court for the attack.

Varsani had been having a long dispute with the 60-year-old woman who lived nearby for several years.

On September 5 last year he saw the woman in her garden and climbed over the fence and hit her in the head a number of times with a claw hammer.

She was treated at the scene by the London ambulance service and was taken to hospital life threatening injuries.

The victim had several skull fractures requiring surgery and lost sight in one eye.

Varsani was charged with attempted murder on September 6 2013 and was found guilty at trial earlier this year.

Detective Daniella Zenga from Harrow CID said: “This was a serious attack which caused life threatening injuries to the victim and has had a major impact on her and her family who have shown great courage throughout this investigation.

“The sentence given reflects the seriousness of the incident. The police take all incidents of assault very seriously and all of the officers involved have worked tirelessly to bring this offender to justice.”

Borough commander of Harrow police Chief Superintendent Simon Ovens said: “I want to congratulate my officers on the sensitive way they handled this case which allowed the judge to reach the conclusion he did.

“I want to reassure people that crimes of this type are very rare in Harrow, which, in these particular case, officers will continue to deal with.”