Eight years for loner who slashed man’s throat

A TROUBLED loner almost killed a man by slashing his throat with a knife.

David Benson (40) lashed out with the weapon when victim Warren Neville tried to intervene in a row with a female friend.

Mr Neville (29) had emergency surgery after the vicious attack in Yorkshire Street.

One of the two craftsman’s knife slashes cut off the top of Mr Neville’s left ear. He might also have lasting nerve damage.

Father-of-two Benson was said to have been a virtual recluse with psychiatric problems following the breakdown of a relationship. He was jailed for eight years at Manchester Crown Court.

Sentencing him after he pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, Judge Jeffrey Lewis said: “This was not a serious confrontation but you reached for a knife and almost killed this man. Your reaction was wholly and utterly disproportionate.”

Barrie Darby, prosecuting, said Benson, of Park Road, Glodwick, had been walking and arguing with a woman friend when Mr Neville ran across and asked her if she wanted him “to batter” her friend.

She explained the row wasn’t serious, but he persisted. Benson then lashed out with the knife.

He was arrested after two witnesses led police to his hiding place in a nearby alley. One had prevented him from trying to get away in a taxi minutes earlier. Daniel Burns and Barry Robson were awarded £200 each from public funds by the judge.

Vanessa Thomson, defending, said Benson’s problems started five years earlier, when he was devastated by the death of his parents and later found his long-term partner had been having an affair.

He was diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and turned his back on the world.

She added: “He is thoroughly ashamed of what he did. He regrets every moment, and wishes with all his heart that he could turn back the clock.