A MAN has been jailed for nine years after demanding money from a man and hitting him with a baseball bat.

Grant Edward Chase, aged 29, was one of two men that entered a commercial premises off Newbury, Gillingham, on October 13 last year.

The victim onsite, a man aged in his 50s, recognised Chase, who was carrying a short baseball bat, as someone he knew and initially thought it was a joke.

Chase approached the victim and demanded money before striking him several times to the head with the bat. 

The defendant also threatened to stab the victim, and put his hand into his pocket to show a handle. The victim believed he was showing him a knife.

The victim was able to push the defendant away and ran out of the premises. He was taken to hospital where he received 12 stitches to injuries on his head.

Following police enquiries, Chase was located in the Blandford area on October 15 and was arrested.

Salisbury Journal: Grant Edward ChaseGrant Edward Chase

Sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on February 24, Chase, of Commercial Road, Weymouth, also admitted a public order offence and breaching a suspended sentence. 

He has been jailed for nine years, with an extended licence period of a further three years.

Detective Constable Holly Spillman of Weymouth CID said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack on a man at his place of work and must have been a terrifying ordeal for the victim.

“I hope the sentence imposed demonstrates that violence of this nature will not be tolerated and offenders will be dealt with robustly.”

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