A scissor-wielding attacker who stabbed his victim to "within an inch of his life" in Banbury has been jailed for three years.

Andrew Potter, 19, of Marlborough Road, Banbury, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm after he stabbed Neil Wilson early on Friday, August 4.

Oxford Crown Court was told Potter punctured Mr Wilson's heart during the drunken attack in South Bar Street. Nadia Silver, prosecuting, said the victim had walked past a flat where Paul Shallis was hosting a "gathering" with Donna Maher, Potter and some other friends.

Miss Silver said: "Donna Maher went down to ask Mr Wilson to stop kicking a sign outside. He amicably agreed to do so."

She said Potter then armed himself with scissors and went to whip up a fight - and stabbed Mr Wilson in the abdomen, leaving him collapsed in the street.

She said: "The wound to the abdomen punctured his heart and he received emergency surgery."

Miss Silver said Mr Wilson was left with a 12in scar along his chest.

She added that Potter had a conviction for violence, three for possession of an offensive weapon and one for affray.

He had also breached an Antisocial Behaviour Order four times.

Tony McGeorge, defending, said: "This defendant had had a lot to drink. Mr Wilson repeatedly kicking at a sign in the street led to the confrontation."

Judge Julian Hall told Potter: "He (Mr Wilson) came within an inch of his life, because the scissors punctured his heart and it was only the skills of the surgeon that rescued him."