Jury finds man guilty of knife attack that left victim scarred for life

A CHRISTCHURCH man has been found guilty by a jury of wounding two people during a “vicious” attack.

Andrew Hiscock had been accused of launching the assault on the pair while armed with a knife, alongside co-defendant David Cotton - who was cleared.

Prosecution counsel Gemma White told Southampton Crown Court Hiscock and Cotton went looking for Sean Wootton one day in April and tracked him to an address in Everest Road, Somerford.

He was playing video games with a group of friends that included his brother Steven Wootton and Bradley Nash.

A confrontation erupted, Mrs White said, during which Steven Wootton was slashed across his face and Mr Nash suffered a wound to his stomach.

Steven Wootton’s injuries required surgery and will scar him for life, the prosecutor added.

In court, Hiscock and Cotton accepted they were at the property but claimed they acted in self-defence.

Hiscock and Cotton were jointly accused of wounding Mr Nash with intent to do grievous bodily harm, as well as the less serious alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

Hiscock alone faced the same charges in respect of Steven Wootton and having an offensive weapon. Cotton was also charged with having a bladed article in public.

All the allegations were denied.

The jury cleared Hiscock (33), of Hunt Road, Somerford, of the more serious charges but convicted him of the unlawful wounding matters in relation to Mr Wootton and Mr Nash. He was also found not guilty of having an offensive weapon.

Cotton (30), of Caxton Close, Mudeford, was found not guilty of all the charges against him.

Hiscock was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 29th October.