Man jailed over axe attack

News imageNorthamptonshire Police Ionel Navalic is pictured in a police mugshot. He has dark hair, stubble and is wearing a black T-shirt and black hoody.Northamptonshire Police
Ionel Navalic attacked his victim and then left the scene

A man who carried out a "serious and violent" axe attack on another man, leaving him with serious injuries, has been jailed.

Ionel Navalic, 45, of Villa Way in Northampton, struck his victim with the axe, injuring a hand, during a fight at a logistics site in Sandy Way, Grange Park in January, Northamptonshire Police said.

Navalic fled the area before police arrived but admitted wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

He was sentenced to four years and five months in prison at Northampton Crown Court on 25 August.

The victim called 999 at about 05:00 BST on 15 January and said he had been attacked by someone he knew.

The 45-year-old first appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court on 16 January, where he was remanded into custody.

He initially pleaded not guilty before changing his plea on 1 July.

Det Sgt Abigail Jones said: "This was a serious and violent attack which left the victim with significant injuries and could easily have had even more devastating consequences.

"Violence involving weapons has no place in our communities, and we will always thoroughly investigate offences of this nature to ensure those responsible are brought before the courts."

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