A MAN who savagely attacked his former boss with a machete after being made redundant was today starting a 12-year jail term.

Managing director Andrew Holt, 37, lay in a pool of his own blood and somehow managed to call emergency services, telling them of his injuries and who had attacked him.

Only his metal watchstrap prevented his left hand being cut off.

Mr Holt, a father of three, is now disabled and may lose his left foot as a result of the attack at What More UK, Huncoat.

Royd Ullah, 28, of Whalley Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty to wounding Mr Holt with intent on May 15 this year.

Mr Holt said in a statement: "I knew he wanted to seriously

hurt me. I could see it in his eyes.

"I remember thinking nothing is going to stop him.

"He continued chopping down on my left arm. At some stage it became useless, flopping down by my side."

He descibed how he then used his left leg in a bid to protect himself.

He added: "There was thick red blood like tar. It was just pouring out of me.

"I've never seen as much blood in my life. I was convinced I was going to die."

Anthony Cross, prosecuting, told the court Ullah began working for What More in January 2000 as a production worker.

He was frequently late and had been given three official warnings about his conduct.

Ullah had claimed he had suffered two injuries at work, one to his finger and to his back and they had been reported to the firm's insurers.

Other complaints were made about Ullah and a decision was made to make him redundant on April 14.

"The defendant did not take that decision lightly," said Mr Cross.

On May 15 Mr Holt arrived at work at 7.45am and went to check if any faxes had arrived overnight.

Lying in wait was Ullah, who had a machete which was 7cm at its widest point. It was heavy and extremely sharp and appeared to be new.

Mr Cross said Mr Holt, who was lying in a pool of his own blood attempted to make a coherent call to emergency services. He was not sure if he would live or die. Mr Cross said the attack was "savage and vicious".

Ullah was arrested 45 minutes later and when charged he said he had not intended to kill Mr Holt.

Mr Holt was taken to a hospital in Blackburn and then to the Royal Preston Hospital with his severe and life-threatening injuries. Mr Cross said Mr Holt was a fit and active, industrious and successful with three children. He was now severely disabled and had severe pain which only morphine could relieve. He mightlose part of his leg due to damage to the sciatic nerve and was now reclusive and found it difficult to come to terms with his life.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Ullah had no previous convictions for violence. He had had a difficult childhood and from his 20s he had been determined to make a decent and honest life. Ullah accepted he had completely lost his temper when in an upset and confused state.

"Mr Holt describes the attack lasting 20 to 30 seconds. It was appalling behaviour that cannot for one moment be justified," said Mr Stuart.

Recorder of Preston Judge Peter Openshaw QC told Ullah: "You lay in wait for Mr Holt, determined to revenge yourself for your dismissal, which seems to have been entirely justified. You armed yourself with a fearsome weapon." He added:"You struck Mr Holt many forceful blows causing the most appalling injuires. They are most shocking shown in the photogtraphs."

Judge Openshaw said an artery was severed in Mr Holt's arm exposing the bone. His wrist would have been cut off but for his watchstrap. He also sustained a deep slash to his chest and the patella in his left leg was fractured, cutting the sciatic nerve. He was left with a drop foot and amputation was still a possibility.

"He and his family will be reminded on this onslaught on him and the continuing impact for the rest of their lives," added the judge.

Mr Holt was too distressed to talk

DI Peter Broome, of Accrington CID, said: "I have been a police officer for 20 years and this is without a shadow of a doubt the most serious offence of wounding I have ever encountered."