Two men have been sentenced for a vicious robbery that blinded a man in one eye.

Kembo Didonga, 21, of no fixed abode and Placide Kamwiziku, 19, of Streamside Close, Edmonton, were sentenced on Friday at Wood Green Crown Court, for the attack in Mill Hill, earlier this year.

Kamwiziku was given 14 years in jail, and Didonga was sent to prison for ten years.

The pair pleaded guilty to robbing the 37-year-old man just after midnight on January 13, in The Ridgeway, as the victim returned home from work.

He was hit on the back of the head with a plank of wood, spun around, and was struck again in the face.

The second blow fractured his cheekbone and smashed his glasses, which cut into his face and ruptured his right eye.

As the robbers stole the victim’s bag, a passerby heard his screams and ran to assist him. Noticing him, the robbers ran away, taking the victim’s bag with them.

Another passing motorist who witnessed the attack followed the suspects to Finchley Road before returning to help the victim.

When the police arrived, the victim informed them his stolen bag contained an iPad, with a tracking device attached.

Police tracked the device to West Hampstead tube station and when they arrived, the criminals were still on the platform, holding the iPad and with blood on their clothes.

DC Nick Harvey said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on an innocent member of the public which has left him blind in one eye.

“Placide Kamwiziku and Kembo Didonga used an excessive level of violence just to steal an iPad and the fact that such violent robberies are rare highlights the dangerousness of these two men.

“I would like to thank the two members of the public who came to the victim’s assistance that evening. They were both very brave.

“Their efforts enabled the victim to receive the urgent medical care he needed. Their quick response ensured that key evidence was not lost and enabled the police to quickly identify the culprits.”