A THUG brandished a machete and slashed a woman on the arm as she tried to protect herself.

Cian O’Driscoll terrorised the woman and twice inflicted grievous bodily harm on her in Hastings.

The 21-year-old had turned up at her door in Southdown Avenue and slashed her with the blade.

It left the woman bleeding from an artery and suffering blood loss and permanent scars.

Then later O’Driscoll chased the woman when she was with a group of friends, he slashed her in the face with a Stanley knife and ran off into an alley near Frederick Road.

Both attacks left the victim “physically and emotionally scarred”.

At Lewes Crown Court, O’Driscoll was considered a danger to the public, with the risk he would commit similar violent crimes.

He was jailed for nine years, but an extra five years was added to his licence period which applies after his release.

Lewes Crown Court.

Lewes Crown Court.

The judge told O’Driscoll he will serve at least two thirds of the nine year sentence and will not necessarily be automatically released.

Most prisoners are released half way through their jail sentence, but O’Driscoll will have to be considered for release by the parole board after six years.

The court heard how the first attack happened on April 24 last year in Southdown Avenue.

O’Driscoll was angry about a fraudulent £10 note given to him by a friend of the victim, the court heard.

When she answered the door, he lunged at her with a machete and she protected her face with her arms.

She needed hospital treatment for a bleeding artery.

At first she did not wish to support a prosecution, but on July 13 last year she was chased by O’Driscoll into an alley off Frederick Road.

He slashed her in the face and ran off towards Deepdene Gardens.

The victim was left with permanent scarring, and doctors told her she was lucky not to have lost sight in one eye.

Detective Constable Lotte Scott said: “Both of these vicious and unprovoked assaults have left the victim physically and emotionally scarred.

"We are pleased the sentencing reflects the severity of the attacks, and that a dangerous offender has been taken off the streets for many years.”

Cian ODriscoll was jailed over two knife attacks in Hastings

Cian O'Driscoll was jailed over two knife attacks in Hastings

Unemployed O’Driscoll, of Waterside Close, Hastings, admitted two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was also given a two-year sentence for inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, which will run at the same time as the nine-year sentence.

O’Driscoll also admitted possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and having a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place.

He is now behind bars.

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