An attacker who stamped on his victim's head and genitals almost 50 times in a “sustained and brutal” attack in broad daylight on a busy city street has been given a life sentence.

Michael Maylen, 20, stamped, kicked and punched the victim - who was left fighting for his life - in the head and body repeatedly, including 35 blows to the head and 13 punches to the face.

The two men were known to each other, but police have been unable to establish a motive for the attack.

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Maylen stamped, kicked and punched his victim dozens of times in brutal attackMichael Maylen stamped, kicked and punched his victim dozens of times in brutal attack (Image: Newsquest)

Eastern Daily Press: Still from CCTV that captured the attack by Michael MaylenStill from CCTV that captured the attack by Michael Maylen (Image: Crown Prosecution Service)

CCTV footage played at Norwich Crown Court showed him pulling down his victim's underwear as he continued to stamp and kick his exposed genitals in the sickening attack lasting almost four minutes.

The man, who suffered a fractured skull, jaw, and eye sockets, described in his witness statement he feels “lucky to be alive”. 

Maylen, formerly of Music House Lane, Norwich, pleaded guilty to attempted murder following the attack in broad daylight on busy St Andrews Street in Norwich on June 13 2021.

Prosecuting Chris Youell said CCTV had captured him dragging the victim’s motionless body into a car park before walking calmly away. 

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Maylen will serve at least eight years but will only be released if deemed safe by a parole boardMichael Maylen will serve at least eight years but will only be released if deemed safe by a parole board (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

He was arrested at an Esso garage on Dereham Road seven hours later when police body-worn video captured him saying: “I battered the s*** out of one of the others who was getting on my nerves”.

He added: “An argument went the wrong way…I’ve gone on a murdering spree. I don’t care.”

He later gave differing accounts of the cause of the dispute including that the victim had stolen his drugs or money from a friend.

The court heard Maylen has been undergoing treatment for ADHD and autism spectrum disorder in a secure hospital since the attack.

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Maylen dragged his unconscious victim into a car park before calming walking off after the attack in NorwichMichael Maylen dragged his unconscious victim into a car park before calming walking off after the attack in Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

Danielle O’Donovan, mitigating, said: “This is an offence brought about because he was unable to control himself unmedicated and untreated.”

Sentencing him to life in prison with a minimum of eight years, Judge Katharine Moore said only he knew the true reason for the attack.

She said his actions had been “brutal and sustained” including slamming his unconscious victim’s head in the ground “with great force”.