A TROWBRIDGE teenager has been jailed for two years for a bottle attack in the town centre last year. Anthony Gibbings, 19, of Southway, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday for committing assault with intent to rob.

Gibbings attacked Matthew Bromley with a vodka bottle in the town centre in September, after asking him for money.

Following a tip-off, police tried to arrest Gibbings, who fled after he spotted the officers.

During the ensuing chase, Gibbings fell into a river and tried to swim away from the police but he was caught and arrested.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared in court in December and on Friday was sentenced to two years in prison.

Ian Halliday, prosecuting, said Gibbings had been out drinking in Trowbridge on the night when Mr Bromley was attacked.

"The defendant came up to Mr Bromley and asked him for money," Mr Halliday said.

"Mr Bromley refused and he was punched by the defendant.

"He pushed him away and the defendant then said: 'do you want the bottle?'"

"He produced a small vodka bottle and struck the complainant over the head.

"Mr Bromley was injured by the blow from the bottle and required glue to repair his head."

Philip Warren, defending, said that Gibbings had a difficult life, which had led to the events of that night.

"This young man is 19, his father died when he was seven and his mother died when he was 11," he said.

"He started drinking alcohol at the age of 11 and smoking cannabis when he was 10. He has had a considerable battle with depression as he has quite a lot to be depressed about."

On the night of the offence Gibbings described himself as drunk and said he had taken cannabis and ecstasy.

Sentencing him, Judge John McNaught said he had taken Gibbings' sad history into account but said that enough was enough.

He said: "I think children losing their parents is very sad and I'm sorry about that.

"But you are acquiring yourself a record of violence.

"You are only 19 and hitting a man at a cashpoint with a bottle is a very serious offence.

"No doubt because of your very sad background, courts in the past have looked favourably upon you but I must sentence you to a period of detention of two years."