Man who slashed stranger's face outside bar jailed

Jordan O'Brien's victim had to have plastic surgery for a life-changing facial injury

A man who slashed a stranger's face in a drug-fuelled attack after his victim refused to buy him a drink in a bar has been jailed.

Jordan O'Brien attacked the man outside the Spitfire Fun Vault on Borough Road, Darwen, in the early hours of 20 October, Lancashire Police said.

The victim was taken to hospital where he had to have plastic surgery for a life-changing facial injury.

O'Brien, 25, who pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to five years and eight months in prison.

He was also given an extended licence period of three years.

Police said O'Brien's attack outside the sports bar could have "so easily proved fatal".

Deep cut

O'Brien, of Industry Street, Darwen, was arrested a few hours after the attack after officers searched through CCTV.

The court heard he had asked the man, who he had never previously met, to buy him a drink several times.

When the man refused, O'Brien asked him outside for what the victim thought would be a chat.

Without warning O'Brien raised his hand and struck the victim to the face, in what he initially believed was a slap, a police spokesman said.

But the 25-year-old had slashed him with a blade, causing a deep cut to the left side of the victim's face from his chin to the top of his ear.

O'Brien pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court at an earlier hearing to wounding with intent and possessing a bladed article in a public place.