TWO men have been jailed for a combined period of 18 years for seriously assaulting a man.

George James, 23, of Gershwin Road and Travis Taylor, 21, of Branton Close were sentenced today after pleading guilty to GBH with intent
and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

James and Taylor both appeared at Winchester Crown Court today (January 19) where they were sentenced.

The pair were arrested following an incident in Stag Hill, Basingstoke when a man was left with significant facial injuries that required surgery.

The assault took place at around 8.30am on Saturday, 28 October when the pair approached a 28-year-old man asking for a lift.

However, when he declined he was subjected to a sustained attack from both men.

During the assault, he was shot repeatedly in the face, arm and back with a BB gun.

As previously reported in The Gazette. In the aftermath of the attack, Hampshire Constabulary’s detective inspector Lee Colvin said: “This was a nasty assault involving a weapon which could have had far more serious consequences than it did.”

James was sentenced to 10 years in jail, followed by five years on licence for a dangerous offender.

Taylor was sentenced to eight years in Jail.