A MIDDLE-aged man has been jailed for knife and hammer attacks in Somerset.

Paul Ashe, 46, was sent down for 24 years after a jury at Bristol Crown Court today (Friday) found him guilty of two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one of possessing a knife.

In the first incident, Ashe, of George Street, Weston-super-Mare, attacked two men in Alexandra Parade in the town at about 4.20am on Sunday, December 2 last year.

A 21-year-old victim needed hospital treatment for wounds to his neck, chest and leg. He needed 32 stitches to his chest wound and three for a puncture wound to his leg. He also had a one inch wound to his neck.

A 17-year-old suffered a cut to his face that also needed hospital treatment.

Ashe was also convicted of a third count of wounding with intent over an incident on Wednesday, April 18 this year in the same street, when he hit a 53-year-old man in the face with a hammer, causing significant injuries.

The man needed surgery and faces long-term effects following the assault, including being unable to drive.

Officer in the case DC Richard Grierson said: "I hope this significant sentence will help the victims put these incidents behind them and move on with their lives. Neither we nor the courts will tolerate such horrific violence on our streets."