The perpetrator of a brutal racially-aggravated Carlisle attack has been jailed for five years.

Josh Greig, 22, of Highfield Avenue, Carlisle was sentenced at Carlisle Crown court today for section 18 – wounding which was racially aggravated, and for possessing a knife in a public place.

The attack took place on the morning of Saturday August 3 2019, in the Barrock Street area of the city.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police explained how the attack unfolded.

"Greig approached the victim who was with a friend talking in Polish and was aggressive towards them.

"Greig then approach the victim a second time and stood face to face with the victim spitting in his face.

"As Greig was again becoming aggressive towards the victim he grabbed an empty bottle from a nearby flower bed and ran at the victim and hit him causing the bottle to smash."

Greig then continued to attack the victim with the broken bottle.

The victim and his friend took shelter from Greig, behind a slatted wooden gate leading to an alleyway behind a number of residential homes.

"Greig was stood on the other side of the gate thrusting the knife through the slats and continued to do this for two to three minutes not making contact before running away," the police spokesman continued.

"The injury sustained a deep laceration that required immediate medical attention for which the victim was transported to hospital."

Police officers began a hunt for Greig, after being alerted to the frightening attack.

Officers found Greig hiding in a cupboard in the communal area of his block of flats, and arrested him.

He had visible injuries a cut to his hand and face.

Detective Constable Jo Allison-Wright said following today's sentencing: “I’d like to thank the victim for his support and patience throughout this process.

“Any assault involving a knife has the potential to end in tragedy.

“There is no excuse for people to be out in public in possession of a knife, the constabulary continue to take such offending extremely seriously.”

  • For a full report, see tomorrow's edition of the News & Star.