A DAD who hit his victim on the head with an axe in front of a child will now be assessed to see whether he is ‘dangerous’.

Ross Corbett appeared on Wednesday via videolink at Worcester Crown Court from a booth in HMP Featherstone where he admitted wounding with intent.

The 30-year-old, previously of Evesham, was told by a judge he faces a long and inevitable jail sentence for the attack in the town’s Rynal Street.

He was arraigned by the clerk where he admitted a single count of wounding with intent against Gareth Lewis on September 1 last year. The particulars of the offence were that he ‘unlawfully and maliciously wounded Gareth Lewis with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm'.

Michael Conry, prosecuting, said: “This is use of an axe in a public street in front of a child who screamed to the point where it attracted the attention of others.”

The court heard that Corbett answered no comment to questions in police interview and the Crown has requested a report to look into the question of dangerousness.

The victim received a CT scan following the attack which is expected to feature as part of the sentencing hearing.

Mr Conry said: “It would appear, mercifully, that the injuries were not great. It would be category two subject to any update on the medical report. Clearly it’s high culpability with an axe.”

If this category is agreed on the day of sentence the starting point in the sentencing guidelines would be six years in prison with a range of five to nine years.

Judith Kenney, for Corbett, said she agreed with the submissions of the prosecution and said the results of the CT scan would assist the court during the sentencing.

Judge Jim Tindal said the surrounding circumstances could push the case into the top end of the category, subject to any mitigating factors and that the medical evidence may take the case into category one.

He said: “There will be a report and the report will be primarily directed towards the question of dangerousness but, of course, can deal with any other surrounding circumstances.”

Judge Tindal addressed the defendant directly, telling him: “You have committed an extremely serious offence which will lead – and there is no question of this – to a long custodial sentence.

“The question is really how long and what type of custodial sentence and whether it’s an appropriate case for an extended sentence which has an impact on the extended licence conditions and when you would be released.

“It’s in your interest to co-operate with the probation service in the assessment of your dangerousness and they will need to be in contact with you in relation to that.”

The sentencing hearing was adjourned until Friday, April 5. The defendant remains in custody.