A MAN who mounted a horror attack with a whisky bottle has been jailed for three and a half years at Worcester Crown Court.

Sean Cooney had been drinking with friends in his own flat in Exhall Close, Redditch, when an argument blew up over money.

He smashed the bottle into the face of 22-year-old Daniel Briggs, said prosecutor Charles Hardy.

"The bottle exploded, causing a nasty injury under the left eye and leaving a permanent scar," he said.

Cooney pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC said Cooney was a young man who had been drinking far too much for some time.

He went on: "Life has taken a very wrong turn indeed. This was a very nasty scar that the victim will bear for the rest of his life.

It was a fortunate you didn't take his eye out."

Cooney, aged 20, had previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly and dishonesty.

Mr Hardy said the two men and some women were at the flat on March 11 this year.

Mr Briggs went to a nearby cash machine and then returned.

Shortly afterwards, Cooney claimed Mr Briggs owed him money.

He asked for the cash 20 times before getting angry and launching the attack.

Defence counsel Simon Phillips said Cooney had a drink problem and could remember little about the incident.

But he had had the courage to plead guilty and would have to rebuild his life on his release.

He was a popular young man who now had to suffer the catastrophic effects of his behaviour.

He would have no alcohol while locked up and there was hope that would help him sort himself out.