A man who left another partially-sighted after clubbing him with a hockey stick has been warned to expect jail.

William Jeffcoat, 30, of Oxford Street, Aldbourne, had been due to stand trial at Swindon Crown Court this week on two counts of wounding with intent.

But on the day his trial was due to begin, he pleaded guilty to the two allegations – each of which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Other charges of simple GBH, possession of a weapon and theft are expected to be ordered to lie on file.

The court has earlier heard how Jeffcoat went to The Bell pub in Ramsbury on November 29 last year and attacked two men with a hockey stick.

Bailing him and ordering a pre-sentence report, Judge Peter Crabtree said: “You’ve pleaded guilty to two extremely serious offences here. There is inevitably going to be a lengthy custodial sentence.”

He is due to return to Swindon Crown Court for sentence on November 3. His bail conditions prevent him from going to Ramsbury or contacting prosecution witnesses.

Caighli Taylor appeared for the Crown. Jeffcoat was represented by Nicholas Clough.