A 44-year-old man who admitted wounding another man using a broken bottle was told by a judge today the attack “could so easily have resulted in death.”

Richard Stringer, of no fixed address, admitted the attack in August on Carlos Williams at Brynteg, Wrexham. He was jailed for 18 months.

Prosecuting counsel Andrew Green told Caernarfon crown court that the bottle narrowly missed an artery in the neck.

There was a two-inch gash and four hours of surgery had been needed to remove pieces of glass.

The prosecutor said Mr Williams, who was known to Stringer, suffered flashbacks and nightmares.

There had been difficulties with getting witnesses to court, however.

Henry Hills, defending, said Stringer was described as “kind and helpful” but had mental health problems linked to drug abuse.

While in custody, drug tests had come back negative.

“He’s making a real effort to change that aspect of his life,” Mr Hills added.

Judge Nicola Jones made a five-year restraining order.

She said Stringer claimed he never intended to cause the wound, but it had been “millimetres” from the artery.

“It’s far too serious to suspend the sentence,” she added.