Jailed: Father who slashed unconscious man's face with knife in Oswestry

Todd Roberts came across Gavin Robinson in Oswestry town centre in the early hours of June 6 last year, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Mr Michael Grey, prosecuting, said Robinson took a knife from his pocket.

Roberts punched Robinson to the floor, knocking him out. The court heard he then picked up the knife and crouched down beside Robinson before slashing his face.

Roberts was seen leaving the scene and CCTV captured the incident as it unfolded in Cross Street.

Mr Grey said Robinson suffered a deep laceration to his face which was about 20cm long. He was hospitalised for three days and given stitches.

Robinson was later interviewed by police and told officers he had been drinking alcohol and could not recall being punched or stabbed. He later accepted pulling a knife out of his pocket.

The court was told Roberts had also been drinking and had taken cocaine.

Roberts, 29, of Fox's Field, Oswestry, admitted wounding with intent.

Robinson, 37, of Woodside Court, Oswestry, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

Mr Brendan Reedy, for Robinson, said he had no recollection of the incident and did not know where he got the knife from.

"He says to me he wasn't in the habit of carrying knives," Mr Reedy said. "He will bear literally the scar for his actions that night for the rest of his life."

Mrs Debra White, for Roberts, said he was in a relationship and had two young children.

She said: "If he could turn the clock back, then without a doubt he would."

Judge Robin Onions said said he accepted the punch thrown by Roberts was "lawful self-defence" but told him he should then have left the scene.

He jailed Roberts for four years and eight months and handed an eight-month prison term to Robinson.