POLICE have welcomed a three-year prison sentence im-posed on a man who attacked two brothers with a claw hammer.

We revealed yesterday, how Robert Connor, 23, of Newport Road, Llantarnam, pleaded guilty to wounding Michael and Alan Devlin with intent to do grievous bodily harm in an attack in Oliphant Circle, Malpas.

He was jailed for three years. Cardiff Crown Court this week heard that Connor had become incensed after an alleged assault on his heavily pregnant girlfriend.

The detectives involved in the case say there is never any excuse for violence. The two brothers attacked by Connor in September both suffered fractured skulls, the court heard, and Michael Devlin is still recovering his speech.

Connor admitted the attack but the court was told he had no recollection of the events. DC Kevin Lintern said: "This was a particularly violent offence with potentially life-threatening injuries.

"Although there were mitigating circumstances, Gwent Police cannot condone and will not tolerate people taking the law into their own hands."

DS Russ Tiley (pictured) said: "Our aim is to protect the public in respect of violent crime and other offences.

"We are satisfied with the decision of the court and this man is no longer at liberty to pose a threat to the community."

In sentencing, Judge John Griffith Williams told Connor: "The most that can be said for you is that you over-reacted when told your heavily pregnant girlfriend had been the victim of an assault.

"Clearly your motive was one of revenge." He added there was no possible justification for Connor arming himself and carrying out the attack.