A man has been jailed for 11 years after slashing another man across the forehead with a Stanley knife, in an unprovoked street attack in Gillingham.

Carl Bonella, 38, previously of Ryde Close, Chatham, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent after the incident on September 22, last year.

The victim, a man in his 40s, was walking along St John’s Road when he was confronted by Bonella, who was holding a bottle above his head, thinking he was about to hit him with it, the victim asked what he was doing and Bonella said he was only ‘kidding’.

But he placed the bottle under his armpit, reached into his pocket and pulled out a Stanley knife.

Bonella lunged forward and stabbed the man in the head and continued to strike him, causing further cuts to his stomach and wrist.

The victim started to run away but Bonella chased him. He tried to call the police but couldn’t dial the numbers as his phone was covered in blood from his head wound.

To trick his attacker he pretended to call the police and Bonella then walked away.

He suffered a 10cm cut to his forehead during the attack and was taken to hospital.

Detectives reviewed CCTV and identified Bonella as the suspect and arrested him two days later. He was charged the next day.

Sentencing him to 11 years in prison toda, the judge at Inner London Crown Court branded him a "dangerous" man.

Detective Constable Claire Brown, investigating officer at Kent Police, said: “This was an unprovoked assault on an innocent member of the public who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Bonella went out in public armed with a knife and caused a serious facial wound to his victim. His actions were dangerous.

“He had denied the offence and refused to give a defence at court, but when the jury retired they only took 45 minutes to come to the decision that Bonella was guilty.

"I am pleased that he is now due to spend a considerable amount of time behind bars, away from the public.’