Life term for obsessive attacker

Ian Holland was described by police as "obsessive and controlling"

An "obsessive" ex-boyfriend has been jailed for life after he tried to kill a man who he though was involved with his ex-girlfriend.

Ian Holland, 33, left his 30-year-old victim in a coma with a fractured skull after he attacked him in Margaret's Road, Twyford, in Oxfordshire.

Holland, of Edinburgh Way, Banbury, was found guilty of attempted murder in a trial at Oxford Crown Court.

Judge Anthony King ordered Holland to serve a minimum of seven years.

Holland attacked his victim with a blunt instrument as he followed him home on 17 June last year.

Det Sgt Steve Duffy, of Thames Valley Police, said: "This was a very difficult investigation that relied on people from the community coming forward to give their evidence.

"Without them, Holland would not have been brought to justice.

"It was a horrific offence with a high level of violence used against the victim and it took great courage for the witnesses to come forward, for which we are entirely grateful.

"Holland is an obsessive and controlling man and believed his victim had been involved with his ex-partner."

Police said the victim has since made a recovery but was still suffering from the after effects of the assault.