By Keith Hunt

A scrap metal dealer who struck out with a sword during a bitter feud with a relative has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Danny Penfold almost cut off one of David Bignall's fingers in the terrifying attack in front of children in a Sittingbourne street.

A judge accepted that the victim had previously been violent to Penfold but said grave injury was caused by the weapon.

At an earlier hearing the 39-year-old, of Lapwing Close, Minster, admitted wounding with intent.

The prosecution offered no evidence against his father David Penfold, 60, of Bell Farm Lane, Minster, on the same charge.

Maidstone Crown Court heard there had been a build-up of ill feeling before the violence.

David Ross, prosecuting, said both the father-of-five and Mr Bignall, 28, had many previous convictions.

There were various disputes between them over Penfold's grandmother and in relation to a lorry.

At Sittingbourne police station, Penfold once threatened to stab Mr Bignall. There was a further altercation at the magistrates' court. The victim was walking near his home in Meads Avenue on July 2 last year when he saw Penfold in his father's truck.

Penfold stopped and Mr Bignall's son shouted he had a knife.

He turned and saw Penfold running at him with what appeared to be a 4ft blade in one hand and a pool cue in the other.

Mr Bignall ran but Penfold caught up with him and hit him several times with the sword. Penfold then left, saying he would return and kill him.

Mr Ross said the victim suffered a "near amputation" of one of his middle fingers, a fracture to an index finger and a cut forearm.

He was taken to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, where he had a operation lasting over seven hours.

Penfold, who is married to Mr Bignall's cousin, has 45 previous court appearances for 83 offences.

Judge Philip Statman told him: "It is an aggravating feature that the attack took place in full view of Mr Bignall's young son and other children.

"The injury you inflicted to his hand was considerable. He will never have normal use of his hand again."

The judge added: "You can control your temper if you want to."