A CITY man has been jailed after scarring his friend for life in a meat cleaver attack.
Martin O’Dowd swung the weapon during a feud over a debt between his old friend and his flatmate, leaving the man with a deep laceration from his ear lobe to his jawline on July 3 last year in Lloyd Crescent, Binley.
Unemployed O’Dowd, aged 25, fled the scene, but was arrested by police nearby after a search of the surrounding area. He was charged with wounding and remanded into custody to await trial.
However in December O’Dowd changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced last week (February 4) to six years and three months in prison.
Police Constable Paul Deeley, from the force’s Violent Crime Team, said: “This was a ferocious attack on a man who had been a friend to O’Dowd, which has left him with life-changing injuries.
“The outcome could easily have been fatal and he is fortunate not to be facing a more serious charge.
“Our message is clear ? we will not tolerate the use of weapons and we will use the full force of the law to prosecute those who feel that disagreements should be settled in this way.”
O’Dowd was sentenced at Coventry Crown Court.