A YOUNG man serving a court-imposed community-based order nearly chopped a mate's fingers off his right hand with a stolen meat cleaver at a birthday party after teasing taunts were made about his new neck tattoo, the County Court heard today.

Rory Billows, now aged 20, had consumed a cocktail of Xanax medication and alcohol before the unprovoked attack on his friend and football team mate.

The victim, named in court as Daniel Noake, later told police he reflexively raised his right arm to protect his face when Billows produced the cleaver and swung it at him during a conversation outside the suburban party in April this year.

The victim later told police that Billows, a “good mate”, had “sliced and diced” him during the light-hearted banter and explained how three of his fingers were left hanging off his hand.

He underwent six hours of surgery at Royal Melbourne Hospital and still suffers tendon and nerve damage, the court heard.

Billows, who has admitted to blacking out some 20 times in the past after mixing Xanax and alcohol, pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury and theft.

He stole the meat cleaver the day he used it in the attack.

His barrister, Raoul Stransky, said while the attack was shocking and deserved immediate incarceration, he asked for a sentence in a youth justice centre as that would best serve his client’s rehabilitation and, in turn, best serve the community.

Mr Stransky cited his client's early guilty plea and young age as factors.

Judge Joe Gullaci said a psychiatric report and Billows’ police record of interview proved “chilling”, and noted that Billows had a relevant prior history of violence.

The judge bemoaned the fact the courts had offered Billows just about every assistance program available and, after choosing to arm himself and combine medication and alcohol and then attack the victim, he was back before a court saying “it’s all about me” and rehabilitation.

Judge Gullaci said he had to consider the impact on the victim and general and specific deterrence.

He suggested a jail term in an adult jail was the only suitable punishment.

Billows was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Friday.

Originally published as Fingers almost lost in cleaver attack