A thug who slashed a man's face with a Stanley knife has been jailed for seven years.

Barry John Woolf, 35, "sliced" the blade through Dennis Rigg's flesh, causing a wound which ran from just under his left sideburn and stopped short of his mouth.

Carlisle Crown Court heard Mr Rigg had to have the wound glued and was left scarred by the attack, which occurred in the communal area of a block of flats in Workington on July 19.

Woolf, who the court was told had had a life "blighted by drug addiction", was said to have injected plant food before the violence flared.

He had also punched his victim in the nose after injuring him with the knife.

That incident came just hours after he and his pregnant partner stole a mobile phone and cash from a man in Maryport.

Heavily-convicted Woolf, of Woodview Cottage, Broughton Moor, was sentenced today after admitting charges of wounding with intent, having a bladed article and theft.

Jailing Woolf, Recorder David Swinnerton said: "Anyone carrying a knife around, however long you had had it with you, and using it to cause a serious wound can expect severe punishment."