A MAN believed "his life was on the line" when a drunken friend smashed an ashtray and used a jagged edge to slice slowly into his neck.

Barry Thomas, 44, of Bridge Street, Chepstow was jailed for five years after using what Judge Nicholas Cooke described as "horrific violence".

Thomas pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to wounding Gareth Wyatt with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

Prosecutor James Wilson said that Thomas and the 51-year-old victim, who lived in Orchard Gardens, Chepstow had been friends.

On April 17, Thomas went to his flat and the pair began drinking whisky.

At one point when talking about their families, Thomas became upset and began ranting and behaving "like a Jekyll and Hyde."

Mr Wyatt attempted in vain to calm him down.

But Thomas smashed an ash tray.

He picked up one piece and used the jagged edge to cut Mr Wyatt's throat as he held him down.

He pushed it into his throat and slowly sliced across the neck.

Said Mr Wilson "He was absolutely petrified and felt his life was on the line."

Mr Wyatt fled to neighbours for help and one of them described seeing a hole in his throat.

The wound, ten centimetres by four centimetres, penetrated into muscle and was close to major arteries.

When Thomas was arrested he was drunk and said: "Someone tried to frame me."

He also added that he remembered nothing.

Mr Wilson said that the injured man had been devastated, especially at being attacked by a friend.

Thomas's counsel Hilary Roberts said that in the past, Thomas has been referred to a psychiatrist and to Alcoholics Anonymous.

"He is greatly affected by his alcoholism" she said.

The court heard that Thomas had originally faced a charge of attempted murder.