Navy

Homeless Man Jailed For 'Life-Changing' Sailor Attack

A homeless man has been jailed for leaving a Royal Navy chef with life-changing injuries after attacking him with a knife.

Tom Coulson, 22, severed nerves, tendons and a main artery, leading to him losing two pints of blood, after his left wrist was slashed by Troy Foxworthy, according to the South Wales Evening Post.

Speaking after the hearing, South Wales Police inspector Alex Chadd said: "This is another positive result for law enforcement and the communities we serve.

"The sentence sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate violence and we will bring offenders before the courts."

"South Wales Police is committed to targeting violence and anti-social behaviour across the force area and I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the public."

Foxworthy was sentenced to 12 years for wounding and two years for possessing an offensive weapon, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Mr Coulson's attacker had escaped to a hostel on The Strand, where he was staying, before changing his clothes and disposing of the knife in an attempt to avoid detection. The weapon is yet to be recovered.

The sailor, who was on leave at the time, had to undergo surgery under general anaesthetic. He's been left with damage to his hand which means he cannot work as a chef, serve on board a ship, drive a car or play sports.

The chef had deployed to Sierra Leone as part of his duties, where he had been part of Britain's contribution to fighting the Ebola outbreak, but is now effectively limited to desk duties onshore as a result of the damage to his hand.

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Foxworthy had maintained innocence throughout his trial at Swansea Crown Court (pictured top), but was found guilty of wounding and possessing an offensive weapon.

He denied he had been involved in the incident, claiming a case of mistaken identity, until minutes before he was due in the dock to be sentenced.

At this point Foxworthy said he accepted his guilt and was remorseful - something a judge said he thought was "hollow sentiment" and the 25-year-old feeling sorry for himself.

The court heard that Mr Coulson had been on a night out with friends in Swansea whilst on leave from the Navy, when one of his friends said she thought the distinctive ear muffs Foxworthy was wearing were "cool".

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There was then a brief confrontation before heroin addict Foxworthy lashed out with his knife. The blade sliced through Mr Coulson's wrist after he raised his arm to protect his head.

The sailor performed first aid on his wound while he waited for an ambulance, applying a tourniquet and raising his arm to limit the bleeding.

The court heard that the 'significant' injury had initially possibly been life-threatening, however, because of the amount of blood he had lost. Medics described it as a "very significant injury which will have lasting consequences".

Judge Peter Heywood told Foxworthy he had caused his victim significant, life-changing injuries which would affect him "for the rest of his days".