A VIOLENT thug who slashed a man’s face and neck at Creamfields was sent to prison for seven-and-a-half years today, Thursday.

Louis Maddock, 25, from Runcorn, admitted one count of section 18 wounding and possession of an offensive weapon in September.

Chester Crown Court heard how the attack unfolded in a dance tent on August 25 at the Daresbury music festival.

Jo Maxwell, prosecuting, said: “The victim Mark Kenny was attacked on two separate occasions.

“This was a repeated assault.

“Mr Kenny was at the festival with his girlfriend and a group of friends.

“It was around 9pm when they entered a tent playing dance music and Mr Kenny recognised Maddock from Runcorn.”

The court was told how Mr Kenny noticed Maddock was carrying a five-inch knife and appeared ‘agitated’ and was ‘behaving oddly’.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

PICTURED: Creamfields dance festival 

The defendant then started lashing out with the knife at Mr Kenny’s face.

READ > These two bungling burglars stole autistic boy's puppy to feed drug addiction

Ms Maxwell continued: “The victim was shocked as Maddock was not saying anything while slashing the knife.

“Mr Kenny put his hands in front of his face to protect himself and suffered a cut to his nose and hand.”

Maddock’s friends then pulled him away from the attack.

READ> Will it snow in Warrington this Christmas? Here's what forecasters have to say

A short time later, Mr Kenny saw the defendant again in the grounds of the festival.

He was confused as to what had happened and confronted Maddock, punching him in the face.

A mass brawl then erupted and Mr Kenny saw Maddock running towards him with the knife before cutting his throat.

First aid was given to Mr Kenny who suffered a four-inch wound from the back of his neck to under his chin.

The wound required gluing but did not need stitches and he has been left with a large scar on his neck and scars on his nose and hand.

In a victim statement Mr Kenny said he is no longer able go to music festivals and suffers from nightmares.

He accepts he was lucky to be alive.

Maddock, of no fixed abode, has 12 convictions for 24 previous offences including burglary, possession of a blade and ABH.

Cheshire Police said he is a ‘high profile individual in the area’ in terms of criminal activity.

Maria Masselis, defending, said: “This was a very serious incident this very young man has committed.

“It was a serious episode of violence which was mercifully brief.

“The defendant also received some injury.

“The letters provided show some insight and genuine remorse. He is struggling to come to terms with what he has done.”

Ms Masselis told the court that taking drugs and alcohol had led to Maddock’s criminal record and said they hoped he would develop a sense of maturity.

Since the attack, Maddock’s partner gave birth to a baby girl and Ms Masselis argued that becoming a dad may change his behaviour.

Judge David Hale said: “You went into a music festival with a knife and used it to attack a man with whom you had no particular quarrel.

“You started, for no reason, slashing in front of his face and he was so taken aback by this that when he sees you again, he punches you.

“You then involved him in a mass brawl by slashing his neck. This injury could have been fatal.

“You have a very unattractive criminal record but no cases of violence in the past.”

Maddock was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Following the sentencing, detective constable Ciara Murphy said: “This was an unprovoked attack and the victim was left with three slash wounds, including one across his neck which caused substantial bleeding.

“The consequences of this attack could have been far worse.

“When people carry knives, it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.

“Cheshire Constabulary and the courts have zero tolerance of knife crime and I hope that the significant custodial sentence that has been handed to Maddock deters others from carrying knives and using them as weapons."