A hooded man who burst into a house and wreaked vengeance on two innocent teenagers has been jailed for seven years.
Damian Jones lashed out with a knuckleduster, scarring one of his victims for life, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.
Jones, 31, of Meadway, Woodside, Bradford, was one of four men who barged into the property to slash the faces of the men inside, the judge said.
He was convicted by a jury in March of wounding 18-year-olds Craig Bentley and Jamie Sergeant with intent to cause them grievous bodily harm.
Prosecutor Martin Haigh said the gang included a man with a knife who had not been caught.
Mr Bentley and Mr Sergeant were attacked in Eskine Parade, Woodside, at 1.30am on February 21 last year, the court heard.
Jones, wearing a hooded top and black gloves, struck Mr Bentley twice in the face with the knuckleduster.
He suffered two serious cuts and was scarred for life.
Mr Sergeant was slashed on the hand, probably trying to protect his face from the knuckleduster or the knife.
Mr Haigh said the gang was looking for a man called Owen. They wanted revenge because they believed he had slashed a youth’s face.
Jones was arrested three days later and denies being present at the attack.
His barrister, Gerald Hendron, said: “The defendant doesn’t accept his guilt.”
Jones suffered from depression and found being remanded in custody difficult, the court heard.
Judge James Stewart QC said: “These were vicious attacks on two complete strangers when you and others invaded the home in which they were guests.”
After the case, Detective Inspector Ian Bryar, of Bradford CID, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack which has left one of his victims scarred for life. Jones used a weapon to inflict these wounds and this has been reflected in the sentence handed down by the courts.
“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in Bradford and should act as a warning to others.”
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