A 23-year-old has been jailed for slashing a boy who earlier attacked him.Christopher Holland, of Michael House Way, Stanton near Bury St Edmunds had been celebrating New Years Eve when he was attacked by a group of youths.

A 23-year-old has been jailed for slashing a boy who earlier attacked him.

Christopher Holland, of Michael House Way, Stanton near Bury St Edmunds had been celebrating New Years Eve

when he was attacked by a group of youths.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that Holland was kicked and punched in the face and suffered a broken nose.

Mark Norman, mitigating, said Holland went home, got a knife and went out in search of his attackers. He said Holland came across a 15-year-old boy and asked him who had broken his nose.

When the boy said he did not know Holland swung the knife and cut the boy's head.

The court heard the boy needed four stitches in the four centimetre cut which was just an inch away from his eye.

Mr Norman said his client had been "very drunk and acted in pain and anger". He said everyone involved in the incident had been "drinking themselves sick". Holland pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

Mr Recorder David Goodin said if Holland had of stayed at home when he went there to get the knife he would not be before the court.

Although the pre-sentence report and Mr Norman urged that a community punishment, a curfew order and compensation should be given to Holland, Mr Goodin sentenced him to 12 months in prison.