A hotel worker who stabbed a soldier outside a town nightclub has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Peter Andrews, 21, of Stratford Close, Toothill, who has since found religion while in prison, used a multi-tooled knife which he had for work to attack his victim outside Destiny And Desire on Harding Street.

David Chidgey, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that victim Oliver Fallon was in the Army and had gone out in town with friends on the night of Thursday, May 13.

"He had had a considerable amount to drink and ended up at Destiny And Desire at about 11pm," he said.

"When he was outside he felt someone walk into him and an arm go into his back.

"Then he had an argument with a gentleman, a sort of 'What are you looking at' type argument."

What happened after that is not clear, he said, as Andrews and his friend were also involved in a disagreement with some other men.

They were also arguing with one of Mr Fallon's friends and he was walking away when he realised he had been stabbed.

"At that stage he felt lightheaded and weak.

"He had a pain in his chest. He put his right hand under his arm and felt opening flesh and his hand was covered in blood."

He said Andrews was seen to have a knife and was detained by doormen from the club.

Mr Fallon was taken to the Great Western Hospital where he was found to have a wound which was 4cm long, 2cm wide and 2mm deep.

He needed five stitches in the wound and also suffered superficial cuts to his abdomen and shoulder.

The defendant was found to have a stainless steel multi-tool with a knife blade on it which he had used to inflict the wounds.

Andrews, admitted a charge of wounding with intent.

Marcus Davey, defending, said: "He may have a poor record for dishonesty but he is not a violent man. This must be an aberration."

He said that his client had a poor upbringing with an alcoholic father who sent him out to steal for him and introduced him to heroin when he was just 15 years old.

Mr Davey said: "He was working in a hotel, partly as a kitchen waiter, and it was a multi-tooled implement which he needed to open bottles.

"This is not a case of a man who went to a nightclub with a knife in his pocket. He went with a work implement. Stupidly, he used it."

He said that since being in prison on remand his client had been attending church and finding a faith which he hopes will serve him well in the future.

Judge John McNaught told him: "I expect you knew before you came here today that this is an offence which carries a maximum of life imprisonment and, if you are convicted of it again, you will get life.

"What is serious is you had drink, had a knife, took the knife out and used it. You cut a man on three occasions.

"I have got to pass a pretty hefty sentence on you."

Tina Clarke