A thug from Wembley who coshed and stabbed a man during a violent unprovoked attack yards from his home has been jailed for eight years.

Sydney Espulien, 20, of Harrow Road, launched his vicious assault on his victim as he waited for a mini-cab with some friends in June last year.

Harrow Crown Court heard a fight had broken out between Espulien and the victim’s friends, and when they fled he turn his attentions on the 22-year-old man chasing him into a shop and stabbing him before fleeing.

He then returned and hit the victim over the head with a heavy object and stabbed him again.

He was caught through forensic evidence gathered at the scene.

Espulien initially denied any wrongdoing but last Friday he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Detective Constable Ama Uppal from Brent CID said: “This sentence demonstrates the seriousness of this case and I am pleased that justice has been done for the victim. This was a violent, unprovoked attack which left the victim with serious injuries that he had to undergo surgery for.

“Thankfully this violent man is behind bars for a few years to come.”