Man sentenced for Swindon knife attack
The victim has been left with a permanent scar on his face
A Swindon man has been jailed for nine years after slashing a victim in the face with a knife.
Martin MacDonald, 42, of no fixed abode, was sentenced on 8 September at Swindon Crown Court for grievous bodily harm, possession of a weapon in a public place and possession of a Class B drug.
MacDonald approached a man in his 30s at the back of Culvery Court, Swindon at around 5.50 pm on 18 May.
The 42-year-old put his victim in a headlock and cut their face.
The attack left the victim with a 10cm long, deep wound from his mouth to his ear that required stitches.
James Purcell from Wiltshire Police said: “MacDonald is an extremely violent offender who deliberately slashed his victim’s face leaving him with permanent disfigurement.
“The impact of this kind of incident on an individual doesn’t just stop at the physical injuries, but it can also impact how they go about their daily life.
“I am pleased that this individual has been given a custodial sentence to reflect the seriousness of his actions, and hope that it will act as a deterrent to others as violence of this nature will not be tolerated.”
MacDonald must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before any referral to a parole board.