A thug who arranged for a brutal iron bar attack on a man selling a car in High Wycombe has been jailed for 16 years.

In 2013, a 32-year-old man who was selling a car from an address in Spearing Road was attacked and left fighting for his life with serious head injuries.

After a long investigation, Abdul Khan, 31, from Reading, pleaded guilty for causing Section 18 - grievous bodily harm with intent, after arranging for the attack.

Another man, who was charged with hitting the victim, was found not guilty by a defence of duress.

On June 18, 2013, at about 6.45pm, Khan drove a man to see the car in High Wycombe.

After parking the car he intended to sell, the victim was then hit over the head with an iron bar that had been hidden in a Sainsbury’s carrier bag.

The victim sustained a serious head injury and had to be put into an induced coma and placed on a life support machine.

He has since made a “good” recovery but is still affected by his injuries, police said.

The person who hit the victim fled the scene and was driven away by Khan in his car, a grey Seat Leon.

Blessed Tachiona, 28, also of Reading, was charged in connection with the incident but after a one week trial at Aylesbury Crown Court was found not guilty by a jury by a defence of duress.

Investigating officer, Det Sgt Yasmin Dean from Force CID in High Wycombe said: “This was a horrific attack on the victim, organised by Khan.

“The co- accused has been identified and admitted his part in the offence, but was found not guilty by the jury on the grounds of duress.

“The victim is very lucky to be alive. I would like to thank all the members of the public who gave witness statements and provided valuable CCTV. This was a protracted enquiry that required support from officers across the Thames Valley.”