AN ex convict who slashed a neighbour he believed was having an affair with his girlfriend has gone to jail for 18 months.

Joiner Michael Wilson, 35, armed himself with a finger trowel at his door and left John Middleton with three injuries, including a permanently deformed finger, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Wilson, who has served 10 years of an 20-year jail term for attempted murder and robbery in France, was told by a judge he had inflicted "multiple serious injuries" - but Mr Middleton had been a "very willing participant," at least.

Recorder Anthony Sander added the defendant's suspicions had been "encouraged by others." He had read a letter from Wilson's partner, in which she had professed to a "sense of guilt," and felt she had deliberately caused the argument.

Father-of- three Wilson, of Beech Street, Clitheroe, had earlier admitted unlawful wounding.

Andrew Brown, prosecuting, said Mr Middleton had been out, had seven pints and called at his mother's home on Beech Street, last August.

There was then a phone call from the defendant, who lived next door, during which a fight was suggested. Wilson thought John Middleton had been having "some form of sexual relationship" with his girlfriend. The complainant went round to Wilson's house, a scuffle broke out and Wilson produced a trowel which looked like a knife. Mr Middleton retreated down the path, followed by the defendant, trying to fend off blows.

Mr Brown said Mr Middleton suffered several lacerations and underwent a general anaesthetic under which a jagged cut to the nerve of his right index finger was explored and repaired. The victim suffered permanent loss of some sensation in the finger.

Anthony Cross, defending, said Wilson had served the equivalent of a 12 month sentence. There was a disagreement over the "attentions" being paid by Mr Middleton to Wilson's partner, but the fight was not of Wilson's own making.

The complainant's brother Tony heard Mr Middleton say: "Do you want a fight?" to Wilson, who replied: "Alright then." The defendant accepted the trowel was used as a weapon but picked it out of a wheelbarrow by the front door. Mr Cross went on: "He is very remorseful. Although he is a man with a bad record, he is one who reformed himself."

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