Man who hit stranger over head with stone jailed for 17 years

A violent thug who viciously attacked a stranger, smashing him over the head with a stone, has been jailed.

James Macmillan targeted the 46-year-old father of five in the street for reasons which he has never explained, hurling abuse before launching the assault which left the man in a coma.

Macmillan admitted attempted murder at Birmingham Crown Court in June and has been jailed by a judge for 17 years, West Midlands Police said.

Despite his plea, detectives said the 25-year-old, of no fixed address, has never shown any remorse for his actions.

The victim was on his way to the chemist walking along Stud Lane, Stechford, Birmingham, when Macmillan began his attack on December 20 last year.

He twice hit the man with a coping stone picked up off the floor.

Afterwards, Macmillan left the victim for dead in the street before running to his mother's home nearby.

Witnesses came forward and Macmillan handed himself in over the assault in early January before he was charged over the attempted killing.

After the hearing, Detective Inspector Nick Dale said: "Despite his guilty plea, Macmillan has never shown any remorse for his actions and we are satisfied with the sentence handed to him, which reflects the viciousness of his unprovoked and violent attack."

He added: "Our thoughts remain with the victim and his family, and we hope this sentence provides them with some comfort, knowing a dangerous offender has been taken off our streets for a considerable amount of time."