GBH With Intent Charge

[leighlee01]

A friend of mine was attacked at the weekend by some mad bloke with a machette, an arguement started when my friend went to the guys house (who lives on the same est as him) and asked for these kids bikes back as the guy had taken them away. From what I hear it resulted in the guy closing the door on his face and my friend turning around and walking away then the guy came out with a machette and started to rain blows down on him.

He is in hospital awaiting his second op on his hand, the doctors are saying he may lose the feeling in his hand and are also very concerned about his leg as he has 4 very deep cuts to that. The attacker went for my friends neck and if he didnt put his hand up then he may of been dead. The attack was so brutal that the attacker even broke his own wrist whilst raining the blows and when was was tackled off my friend went to get in his car and drive away.

He was arrested for attempted murder however the charges have now been made for GBH with Intent (I dont know under what section) however I have been reading through some of the comments and looking on the internet of what these charges carry and just want to get the opinion of someone who has either been through this or knows about the law to answer what possible sentance this guy may receive considering my friend is still very young (early 20's) and could of ruined the rest of his life!!!

Thanks

[paraffin]

S18 GBH with intent can carry a life sentence on indictment.

S20 GBH with intent can carry 5 years on conviction.