A violent thug who attacked two strangers with a nitrous oxide canister before stealing a delivery driver's car has been jailed for more than six years.
Lauchlan Pritchard, 25, from Cheltenham, repeatedly struck his victims with the heavy metal cylinder during an unprovoked assault in Maidstone town centre.
The attack occurred shortly after 4am on May 19 this year outside Miller Heights in Lower Stone Street, when Pritchard accused the two men of laughing at him.
One victim was left unconscious with potentially life-threatening brain injuries, while the other was chased and beaten in the street.
After the assault, Pritchard threatened a takeaway delivery driver, stole his Citroën and later crashed it into a ditch on the A229.
Raymond McKenna and Ben Hynes were sitting outside when Pritchard approached them, shouting: "Are you laughing at me?"
Lauchlan Pritchard
Kent Police
Despite Hynes explaining they were not, Pritchard began lunging at them, striking both men repeatedly over the head with the laughing gas canister.
CCTV footage showed the victims trying to retreat as Pritchard pursued them in a rage.
McKenna was struck to the head and fell to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement. As he tried to stand, he was beaten again and knocked unconscious.
The attack left Mr McKenna with a three-inch head wound and a brain bleed that initially raised fears he might need surgery.
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Pritchard could be seen inhaling from a balloon
Kent Police
He now suffers from permanent scarring, memory issues, hearing impairment and migraines, along with panic attacks and anxiety.
"The injuries were so severe I could have died. He could have killed me, robbed me of my future with my children," McKenna later told the court.
After the initial assault, Pritchard demanded staff at a nearby takeaway call him a taxi. When they refused, he targeted delivery driver Muhammad Wakeel.
Pritchard forced Wakeel's Citroën to stop before climbing in and ordering him to "Drive! Drive!"
CCTV footage shows Pritchard struggling to keep his footing
Kent Police
He then demanded money from the frightened driver, punched him and struck his phone against the windscreen.
Wakeel managed to escape the vehicle and run away, but when he tried to retrieve his car keys, Pritchard threatened him with the same canister used in the earlier attack.
The stolen car was later spotted speeding past a pub at Linton Hill before being discovered abandoned in a ditch on the A229 by an off-duty police officer.
Pritchard, who has 19 previous convictions for 33 offences including assaults and battery, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and other charges at Maidstone Crown Court.
Lauchlan Pritchard speeding off in Delivery driver's car
Kent Police
The court heard he had "little or no" recollection of the incident, claiming he had been drinking to excess.
Judge Robert Lazarus rejected Pritchard's attempts to blame alcohol, noting he showed "no sign of profound intoxication" during the attack.
He was sentenced to a total of six years and four months for the attack on McKenna and Hynes.
A consecutive 13-month term was added for the incident involving Wakeel.
Upon release, Pritchard will face an extended two-year licence period and receive a five-year driving ban.
The moment of Lauchlan Pritchard's arrest
Kent Police
Detective Constable Alice Henham said: "Pritchard was responsible for an utterly senseless and barbaric assault on two men who were simply minding their own business.
"His actions resulted in multiple serious injuries which included one of the victims suffering bleeds to the brain and who continues to endure significant health issues.
"Our investigation provided irrefutable evidence of Pritchard’s involvement, leaving him no choice but to plead guilty.
"This included DNA from the scene of the assault, as well as from the car and the canister, along with CCTV images and a photo from a social media account which showed him wearing identical clothing to the suspect."
Kent Police share arrest of Lauchlan Pritchard
Kent Police share arrest of Lauchlan Pritchard