A knife-wielding attacker slashed a man five times across his face and neck after accusing him of being a "grass". The victim managed to escape but collapsed outside as a result of his injuries.
Jamal Salah, 30, used a kitchen knife to stab his victim on February 9 at a flat in Newport city centre after he went back with a woman. He sustained five wounds during the attack, to his forehead, cheek, back of the head and neck.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard the victim had been drinking in Newport on February 9 before meeting up with a woman and returning to her flat in Commercial Street. When he walked into the flat, the defendant was met with animosity and hostility by Salah and another man who accused him of being a "grass".
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The victim tried to leave but was grabbed by both men and Salah stabbed him a number of times with a kitchen knife. Having suffered five wounds, the victim managed to leave the flat but collapsed outside. Witnesses saw him and called an ambulance who took him to hospital.
Prosecutor Paul Hewitt said armed police attended the flat and it was clear to officers an attempt had been made to clean up the property, with the victim's blood found on the stairs and outside the flat. The kitchen knife was recovered and the two men were arrested, but the defendant admitted picking up a knife. It was later discovered that debit cards, money and a phone had been taken from the victim.
Salah, of Dolphin Street, Newport, later pleaded guilty to wounding and causing grievous bodily harm. The court heard he had four previous convictions, including sexual assault and possession with intent to supply drugs, for which he received a 64 month prison sentence.
In mitigation, Gareth Williams said his client was "remorseful" and accepted responsibility for the offence. He said the defendant was born in Somalia and had come to the UK at the age of 13, before moving from London to Liverpool and finally to Newport. He now has a supportive partner and a young child, for whom he wants to be a positive role model.
Judge Carl Harrison sentenced Salah to a total of four years and nine months imprisonment. He will serve two thirds of the sentence before he is released to serve the remainder on licence.
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