A TEENAGER who carried out a serious knife attack within hours of being given police bail was sentenced to five years in youth custody.

Andrew Jackson defied orders not to go to his girlfriend's address and caused a commotion.

A 36-year-old man was slashed to the face, neck and body by Jackson, who was heard to roar before advancing on his victim with a carving knife.

The 18-year-old, of Market Street, Whitworth, was appearing for sentence at Preston Crown Court, having admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Jackson had been going out with Wendy Beards and had been arrested after an argument and then released on police bail, with a condition not to go to her address.

But within hours of his release, the defendant was at her door, said Tim Storrie, prosecuting.

Jackson's presence was enough for her to call for help from a friend, victim John McNamara.

Frustrated at not being allowed inside, Jackson threw a stone slab through a window and then forced his way in, dragging Wendy Beards into an entry at the rear of the property.

He begged her to run away with him. A short scuffle then took place between him and Mr McNamara before the woman was dragged back into the house.

Mr Storrie told the court: "Jackson reappeared, this time armed with a carving knife. Wendy Beards' recollection was that he roared and advanced at Mr McNamara.

"The defendant took the knife and appeared to slice across the other man's face and stab him in the back. The woman saw him sliced across the body and that a large part of his cheek was missing."

Keith Harrison, defending, said Mr McNamara had arrived at the scene prepared for a struggle to help evict Jackson from the house

and there had been several fights between the two men in the past.

He said: "Whatever misconceived notion he might have had of needing to defend himself, he went far too far. It was a nasty incident which he bitterly regrets."

Judge Edward Slinger said it was fortunate that Mr McNamara was not killed.

"Any criticism of Mr McNamara is wrong. He may be a man who has been in a lot of trouble before and has convictions for violence.

"But he would not have been near that property if he had not seen sent for to try and protect Wendy Beards."