Two drunken thugs involved in a savage knife attack after a row over lost tobacco have had their sentences cut on appeal.

David Willson was left with a broken nose and 12 wounds to his face, neck and body after he was set upon by Colin Allen and Anthony William Martin last year.

Allen, 48, and Martin, 49, both of Harkness Court, Sittingbourne, were jailed for 13 years and 12 years respectively after they admitted wounding with intent at Maidstone Crown Court in July.

But their prison terms were cut by two years after three senior judges at London’s Court of Appeal, ruled the sentences “manifestly excessive”.

Lord Justice Royce told the court Mr Willson and another man were drinking with Allen and Martin in a churchyard in Sittingbourne on November 16, last year, before they were moved on by police.

The men went back to Allen and Martin’s flat, where they continued drinking until Mr Willson tried to leave.

When he asked where his tobacco was, his attackers turned nasty, with Martin punching him before Allen stabbed him in the face, the judge said.

Allen threatened to kill Mr Willson as he staggered away and the pair were later heard saying they had “made the cut”.

Martin had appeared before the courts for 20 previous crimes, but had no convictions for violence, while Allen had robbery and firearms offences on his record.

A statement from Mr Willson, who suffered scarring to his face in the attack, said he had since lost confidence and was constantly looking over his shoulder when he went out.

Lawyers for Allen and Martin said the judge had wrongly categorised the offence, and imposed jail terms which were too long.

After hearing their arguments, Mr Justice Royce, sitting with Lord Justice Pill and Mr Justice Globe, said: “It was unprovoked and Mr Willson was defenceless and sustained unpleasant injuries.

“But those injuries were not as serious as many and were not life-threatening.

“This was a case at the lower end of the category, but the resulting sentences were manifestly excessive.”

Both men will serve half of their new sentences before they are entitled to automatic release.