A man who “viciously attacked” his housemate leaving him with a “horrific injury” has been jailed for three years.

Daniel Tournay, 25, who was living in Hampton at the time, slashed his 28-year-old victim's face with a Stanley knife.

The attack happened on October 19 last year after an argument between the two “quickly escalated into violence”.

The victim, who was staying at the same address in Dean Street, needed 20 stitches after the assault.

Your Local Guardian: The injury 

Tournay, currently of no fixed abode, was arrested at the scene after being found hiding in a front garden, while the knife was found in a flower bed.

He was sentenced on Tuesday, April 10, at Kingston Crown Court after being found guilty of grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Detective Constable Dave Tucker of Kingston Police said: “Tournay viciously attacked his victim with a knife, causing a horrific injury - it is only by sheer luck that this assault did not have more serious consequences.

“What started out as a verbal dispute, quickly escalated into violence.

“This once again demonstrates the damage that can be caused when people choose to arm themselves with knives and use them to inflict injury.”