A SOLDIER was left scarred for life following an unprovoked knife attack by two cousins, just hours after attending his father's funeral.

Philip Sharples was attacked in Church Street, Golborne, when he thought a larger man was fighting with a smaller man and shouted at them to stop.

But Michael Higham and his younger cousin were drunk and turned on Mr Sharples, slashing him repeatedly about the head and face with a seven-inch kitchen knife.

The soldier, who is normally based in Cyprus but had flown home for the funeral, was left with large scars on his cheek and head.

Higham, 19, of Nook Lane, Golborne, and his cousin, 17-year-old Christopher Wilton, of Church Street, Golborne, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence.

Higham admitted wounding Philip Sharples with intent and was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for five years.

Wilton admitted the lesser charge of unlawful wounding and was sentenced to a 12-month detention and training order. Both young men were of previous good character.

Judge John Roberts described the case as sad for all concerned. He said it was sad for the victim who would be left scarred for life, and sad for two young men of previous good character, from respectable backgrounds.

He said Mr Sharples had suffered serious injuries which had physically affected him and also affected his personal life.

Prosecutor Joanna Rodikis said that Sharples had attended his father's funeral and was going to a bar to see his uncle.

In Church Street in Golborne Sharples saw the larger man with his arms around the smaller man and told them to stop, thinking they were fighting. But they turned on him and Higham slashed Sharples repeatedly with a long kitchen knife. Witnesses reported seeing the blade glint in the light as Sharples was slashed.

Sharples managed to break away and ran into the nearby Sam's bar covered in blood from the slash wounds. A medical report showed he had suffered multiple slash wounds to his face and head and had to have surgery to repair his wounds.

The court heard that both men had acted out of character and had little recollection of what had happened because they had had too much to drink.

Higham had never been in trouble before and came from a supportive family

who were appalled at what he had done.

Wilton also came from a respectable family and suffered from special

educational needs probably as result of a pre-birth stroke which had left

him suffering from epilepsy.