AN ice cream van driver who attacked a rival seller has been jailed.

Qelik Shiha, 33, of Lily Drive, West Drayton, was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday, to 30 months after being found guilty of assault causing grievous bodily harm.

Police were called last April to South Close, West Drayton to reports that a man had been attacked with a shovel.

They found the victim, aged in his 20s, with a large, deep cut to his hand. An off-duty officer and a witness attempted to bandage the hand until an ambulance crew arrived.

He was taken to hospital and underwent surgery but has partially lost sensation in two of his fingers.

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He told police he had been in his ice cream van in South Close when a man, who arrived in his own van at the same time, got out and told him: "This is my patch."

The suspect - subsequently identified as Qelik Shiha - then punched the window of the parked van. As the victim ran away, Shiha chased him and struck his hand with the shovel before driving off.

He was arrested Shiha that evening.

Det Con Reda Imane, of Hillingdon CID, said: "It was clearly an attempt by Shiha to intimidate a rival business.

"The vicious and unprovoked attack was witnessed by members of the public, including at least one young child, and was carried out in broad daylight. I'm very happy we have removed this violent individual off the streets."