A "DANGEROUS" knifeman who slashed a man's face in an unprovoked street attack in Great Harwood is today starting a four-year jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Lee Birkett, 21, used a large lock knife with a 4in blade to injure his victim, who was "just passing by, minding his own business."

The victim was scarred for life in the attack.

Birkett had claimed the man "head to headed him" and looked him in the eye. He alleged he had been forced back by a carrier bag of cans of beer being swung at him.

The defendant told the court he had forgotten he had the weapon in his hand and what happened then was a mixture of accident and self-defence.

Sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett told Birkett that the jury found he deliberately stabbed the victim and he had a dreadful record for street violence.

The judge added he was quite satisfied that because of his background and the circumstances of the offence, Birkett presented a risk of danger to the public. A longer-than-normal sentence was necessary.

The defendant, of Springfield Road, Great Harwood, had earlier been convicted after a trial of unlawful wounding. He had been cleared of the more serious charge of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, told the court Birkett had previous convictions for affray, battery, assault, threatening behaviour, damage and breaching the peace.

Judith McCullough, defending, said Birkett had had a difficult upbringing.

His parents had separated when he was young, he had led an itinerant lifestyle and had lived on the streets.