Man convicted over Melksham hammer attack

A man who repeatedly struck his victim to the head with a hammer in Melksham town centre has been found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

Nathan Scholey, 32, of no fixed abode, was also found guilty of possession of an offensive weapon when he appeared before Winchester Crown Court on Thursday 18th June.

The court heard how on the evening of Friday 17th October, Scholey launched his attack on a man in his 40s, following a brief verbal altercation in Melksham High Street.

Scholey struck his victim to the head a number of times, leaving him seriously injured and requiring hospital treatment. A large section of Melksham town centre was cordoned off following the incident, with police carrying out investigations in the area.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said, “This assault has left me feeling vulnerable. I try not to let it, and I try not to let people see it, but I know the vulnerability is there.”

He added that the attack has made him less sociable and experiencing ongoing anxiety and confidence challenges.

Detective Constable Paul Baldock from Wiltshire Police said, “Scholey used a hammer to strike his victim to the head, seriously injuring him. The effects of such a horrendous and unwarranted attack remain with the victim, who has told the court of the lasting psychological trauma some months afterwards.

“There is simply no place for such aggressive behaviour or indeed carrying a hammer with the intent to use it as a weapon. “I would like to thank the victim in this case for supporting the investigation and helping bring this individual to justice.”

Scholey has been remanded to custody ahead of his sentencing hearing which is due to take place on 30th October.