JAMAICAN Garfield Milton slashed a man with a knife in a town centre nightspot.

The 23-year-old, who has lived in Britain for seven years, was in Revolution, in Newcastle, in the early hours of Sunday, December 6 when he became involved in a confrontation with Robert Phillips.

Prosecutor Robert Price told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday the two men argued before Milton attacked Mr Phillips.

"The defendant had a small locking knife and pointed it towards Mr Phillips. At the same time he moved towards him and lunged at him," said Mr Price. "The blade cut Mr Phillips to the right side of his abdomen."

As Milton tried to leave another man, Andrew Granger, blocked his path.

Mr Price added: "The defendant said 'Do you known who I am?'

"Mr Granger pushed him back. The defendant produced the same knife and lunged at him, slashing at his stomach on five or 10 occasions. It did not connect as on each occasion Mr Granger managed to jump back out the way."

Mr Phillips received a small cut which was dressed at hospital.

Milton was detained by door staff and was arrested by police. In his police interview he denied using a knife. He said the knife belonged to a friend who passed it him in the club.

Milton, of Mars Street, Smallthorne, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and affray.

Peter McCartney, mitigating, said the offending was completely out of character.

"Mr Phillips provoked a reaction from Milton. The reaction was not proportionate. He fully regrets the events of that night and expresses huge remorse and regret."

Mr McCartney asked Judge Robert Trevor-Jones to consider suspending any prison sentence.

But the judge said the offence was so serious it had to be immediate custody and jailed Milton for 18 months.

He said: "These offences are very serious. It may be he squared up to you, but you produced a dangerous weapon, a knife.

"Such a weapon can lead to considerable injury, if not fatal injury. The carrying of a knife in a public area and then used requires immediate custody."

Time spent on a curfew means 51 days will be deducted from the term.