A man stabbed his friend with a knife following an argument at a hostel which the saw blade scratch the victim's bone in a deep injury.
John Layton, 49, wounded Philip Christie at a Barry hostel on May 28 last year as a result of a disagreement between them which left Mr Christie with a serious injury to his arm and a significant loss of blood.
The incident was said to have been out of character for Layton who had no previous convictions and he claimed to have been acting in self-defence. But this defence was rejected by a jury who found him guilty of wounding with intent following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Read more: Go here to read all the latest stories from the courts in Wales
Addressing a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Judge Niclas Parry said: "This case is as bad as it is horrendous. You caused a horrific injury to your victim's arm. He was literally cut to the bone and the bone was scratched such was the severity of your attack.
"If he was cut to the stomach he could have quite easily been killed."
The court heard Layton left the room at the Plymouth Road hostel in which the argument took place with Mr Christie to arm himself with the knife and caused the "grave injury" which caused the victim to bleed profusely.
Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said the assault was not "proportionate self-defence" as the level of the injury meant it went beyond that.
Check crime reports in your area:
In mitigation Hilary Roberts said his client had been described as a "lovely man" and something had caused him to behave in he way he did, namely a level of provocation.
He said Layton, who has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, had spent the last seven months on remand in custody but had the offer of a job and temporary accommodation once he had been released from prison.
The defendant was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years and to carry out a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a residency requirement. He was also made subject to a restraining order for five years.
To get the latest news from WalesOnline sent straight to your email inbox, including our regular Crime and Punishment updates, click here .
