A man who repeatedly battered a fellow war games competitor over the head with a paint ball gun has been jailed for nine years.

Nathan Joseph admitted grievous bodily harm with intent after unleashing a serious assault on his 30-year-old victim at the Ancaster Leisure paint ball centre in Lincolnshire on February 6.

The 22-year-old, of no fixed address, inflicted severe head injuries on the man, leaving him in hospital for several weeks afterwards, Lincolnshire Police said.

Both men had been gaming at the centre but as part of separate groups.

Joseph was seen getting aggressive during a confrontation with the victim before launching an attack.

He then continued to beat the man across the head with his gun as he lay on the ground.

Joseph was jailed at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday.

Detective Inspector Simon Bromiley, of Lincolnshire Police, said: