Rawtenstall thug slashed his best friend's neck with a bottle (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rawtenstall thug slashed his best friend's neck with a bottle

6:00pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News

A THUG who slashed his ‘best friend's’ neck with a broken bottle in the street has been jailed for more than six years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how engineer Martin McGuinn also suffered other injuries as well as the wound to his neck.

He had to have a three-and-a half-hour operation, 66 stitches and was left traumatised after the horrific and sustained attack by drunken Paul McDonald.

McDonald, who had drunk a cocktail of anti-depressant medication and alcohol, had smashed the bottle and walked towards the victim, telling him: “I am going to kill you.” Mr McGuinn had fallen to his knees after his neck was cut, but McDonald inflicted more gashes, lacerating Mr McGuinn's leg as he kicked out to try to protect himself.

The hearing was told McDonald, 30, a painter and decorator and father of three, had little or no recollection of what he had done, and was “devastated” his friend had been injured.

McDonald, of Yarraville Street, Rawtenstall, had admitted wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said Mr McGuinn, who was in his late twenties, said he and McDonald had a “brilliant” friendship before the incident. They had been out drinking and then went back to the victim's home. McDonald left in a taxi with his young son and Mr McGuinn watched a film with some friends.

Mr McGuinn received a phone call and he and a friend left for McDonald’s house. On the way they came across McDonald and his partner, who were arguing. She said McDonald had hit her and the defendant then struck Mr McGuinn in the face with his hand.

McGuinn punched out in self-defence and there was a scuffle. McDonald walked away, telling his friend: “Right, that's it. You are a dead man. I'm going to kill you.”

He got a bottle from a bin and smashed it on the ground.

McDonald then cut Mr McGuinn's neck. The victim fell to his knees but McDonald continued to lash out.

In a statement McDonald told police: “Martin McGuinn is my best friend. I would never want to hurt my best friend. I would never want to cause any injury or harm."

The prosecutor said Mr McGuinn suffered flashbacks and his doctor had told him he might be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

He told police he and his family were fearful of the defendant and added: "I can never forgive him for what he has done."

Sentencing him to six years and eight months Judge Ian Leeming, QC, said: "This was a disgusting and disgraceful offence.”