Thief jailed for 'horrific' bottle attack on man

A thief who left a man with permanent scarring after striking him with a wine bottle while robbing a shop has been jailed.

Christopher Cornish, 35, from Taunton in Somerset, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison at Taunton Crown Court on Wednesday, after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm, intent to resist arrest and theft.

He was attempting to rob a shop in East Street, Taunton, on 18 August when he attacked the victim, a man in his 50s, who was trying to stop him.

Cornish then smashed a wine bottle against the victim's neck before attacking him with a second bottle causing him to lose consciousness and a significant amount of blood.

He was rushed to hospital where he underwent a 90-minute operation and received 16 stitches.

Avon and Somerset Police said he was later discharged but had sustained permanent scarring as a result of the deep wounds to his neck and forehead.

Det Con Matt Barrett described the attack as "truly horrific" adding the man's scarring would "serve as a constant reminder of the ordeal".

He added: "Cornish carried out a violent and unjust attack on the victim who stepped in to apprehend him from committing a theft within the store.

"There were significant aggravating factors within this case and I would like to thank the police officers and paramedics who attended and treated the victim's injuries within minutes of the attack."

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