He was sentenced for 13 years.

A man who carried out a vicious hammer attack in St Annes has been jailed.

Phillip Wrigley, 37, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Monday (May 10) after seriously assaulting a man at his flat last year.

Police had been called around 2.35am on July 21 to a report of an incident at Wrigley’s address in Lightburne Avenue.

Officers attended to find a man in his 20s unconscious with serious head injuries.

Wrigley, who was found at the address, had called police and said he had lost control, attacking his friend with a hammer during a fight.

Wrigley was arrested with the victim taken to hospital for treatment.

Following investigation detectives found the pair had been arguing when a fight broke out. Wrigley launched a horrendous assault, knocking the victim to the ground and hitting him with the hammer.

The victim suffered life-threatening head injuries including multiple skull fractures. Following extensive treatment at hospital, including several operations, his recovery is ongoing.

Wrigley was initially charged with attempted murder but following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, a guilty plea to Section 18 – wounding was accepted.

He was handed a 13 year prison sentence with an extended licence of two years.

Det Con Steve Wood, of Blackpool Police, said: “This was a particularly nasty, violent attack, which left the victim with life-threatening injuries, of which they are still recovering.

“Wrigley, believed to have consumed quantities of alcohol and drugs, struck the victim over the head a number of times following an argument.

“The victim was left with multiple skull fractures and it is only thanks to the treatment and skill of doctors his life was saved.

“Wrigley’s actions and behaviour require a significant custodial sentence and we welcome the decision at court.”