Life sentence for attacker who blinded Hereford man
A 21-year-old Hereford man, who blinded his victim by stabbing him, has been jailed for life.
Ashley Preece, 21, of no fixed abode, was sentenced on Thursday to life imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
A judge at Worcester Crown Court said he will serve at least four years and eight months before being considered for parole.
Preece had previously admitted stabbing Jack Hewitt on 28 August 2010.
A police spokesman said Mr Hewitt was left with wounds to the neck "so serious" that he was left blind and with reduced mobility for life.
Anthony Dallow, 23, of Ledbury Road, Hereford, was sentenced at the same hearing to a 12-month suspended sentence for perverting the course of justice by assisting an offender.
Det Sgt Frank Rea, of West Mercia Police, said: "Jack Hewitt suffered a terrible attack at the hands of Ashley Preece.
"A bottle was smashed over his head and the sharp edge used to stab him in the neck.
"He lost so much blood, that he almost died and has suffered life-changing injuries."
Mr Hewitt, who is still recovering in a specialist brain injury unit, said: "In the end the sentence was very fair, I feel comfortable with it.
"I feel protected because hopefully he won't do it again."