Police have released a shocking image of a zombie knife which was plunged so deep into a man's buttocks it had to be surgically removed.

The victim was stabbed by Aaron Toward-Parker, 18, during a showdown between love rivals in a park.

Police released an X-ray of the embedded blade after the teenager was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at Swindon Crown Court.

Detective Sergeant Scott Anger, of Wiltshire Police, said: "This was a very violent assault which could have very easily had serious, if not fatal, consequences.

"The victim who was stabbed had to be taken to hospital by ambulance with the large knife still in place and then had to have an operation to have the knife surgically removed.

"Luckily, he has gone on to make a good recovery."

The court heard how Toward-Parker's friend Jack Parfitt arranged to meet a colleague of his pregnant girlfriend - after becoming upset at flirting between the pair.

They arrived at the scene near Covingham Square in Swindon on bikes at around 9pm on January 20 this year.

Parfitt, then 17, identified his target and opened fire with a BB gun.

The victim of the zombie knife was a friend of the love rival who had accompanied him to the park.