A MACHETE-WIELDING businessman has been jailed for a frenzied attack on a subcontractor after a dispute over money.

Benjamin Moyo, 27, set upon his victim following an argument over a debt in May last year.

The subcontractor confronted Moyo, of Cherry Orchard in Whitchurch, over some money he was owed. In response, the defendant went to his van and took out a machete, before launching into the assault.

The attack took place in broad daylight at a building site in Paice's Hill, Aldermaston - and Moyo only stopped when three of his own colleagues intervened to restrain him.

He struck the victim's arms and ribs around a dozen times, and a couple of the blows landed on his head.

At trial, Moyo was convicted of wounding with intent, having previously pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.

Today, January 25, he appeared at Reading Crown Court for sentencing.

In a statement, Moyo's victim said the attack had effectively driven him from the country out of fear.

The subcontractor - who now lives abroad - said he was still concerned about being targeted by Moyo's associates.

He said: "I would like to say that I've never, ever experienced anything as serious as this in my whole life. I am literally terrified of returning to the area where this happened.

"I've had nightmares about this."

Summing up the case, Judge Kirsty Real said Moyo is a self-made businessman, serving as a director at Tilehurst-based BWZ Contractors at the time of the attack.

He also has a history of charitable works, having volunteered extensively in Zimbabwe, and having helped with the local Covid response.

However, the judge noted that Moyo has also had run-ins with the law before, which she had to factor into sentencing. In 2016, for instance, he was caught with a knife by police.

Moyo partly attributed the assault on the subcontractor to his problems with steroid abuse.

Judge Real said the defendant had made efforts to address this, and to reform himself while in prison.

She told Moyo: "I recognise that you've made every attempt at rehabilitation so far, and you need to - and perhaps you already have - addressed what led you to act like that."

Moyo was jailed for five years on the assault charge, and 18 months for possession of the machete. These terms will run concurrently.

He will only be eligible for release after serving two-thirds of the five-year total sentence.