A CAR buyer who ordered another man to smash the seller over the head with an iron bar leaving him in a coma, has been jailed for 16 years.

Adbul Khan and Blessed Tachiona arranged to meet a 32-year-old who was selling his car.

But when the men arrived instead of making the transaction 31-year-old Khan ordered Tachiona to attack the car seller with the iron bar hidden in a supermarket carrier bag.

The pair then sped away in Khan's Seat Leon.

The 32-year-old victim was so badly injured that doctors had to place him in a induced coma and on a life support machine. He has since made a good recovery however, a judge sitting at Aylesbury Crown Court heard he was still affected by the injuries he sustained in the attack in Spearing Road in High Wycombe.

The full extent of the "horrific attack" has only just been allowed to be reported after Tachiona walked free from Aylesbury Crown Court last week after being cleared by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a week long trial. The 28-year-old of Temple Place, Reading, admitted his part in the attack but said he was placed under duress by Khan.

Khan, of Scours Lane, west Reading, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in March after admitted a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent in June 2013.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Yasmin Dean said: "The victim, a 32-year-old man, put the car on the road and the other man hit the victim over the head with an iron bar that was hidden in a Sainsbury’s carrier bag.

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

She added: "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."