If proof were needed of the dangers of carrying knives, a case at Oxford Crown Court yesterday provided it in abundance.

Samuel Marriott-Gray's life was wrecked in the split second it took Leonard Morrison to plunge one into his skull.

Six months after the attack, he is still in a coma and is expected to remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his days.

Morrison lied all the way through the trial, insisting that someone else at the Blackbird Leys party last August was guilty.

But Mr Marriott-Gray identified him as his attacker as he lay bleeding on the ground, and a jury rightly found him guilty of attempted murder.

We applaud Judge Julian Hall for treating Morrison as if he killed his victim and jailing him for life.

He said he had effectively ended Mr Marriott-Gray's life, and should be treated accordingly.

We had had our differences with Judge Hall about some of his recent sentences, particularly on paedophiles, but this one was spot on.

He was also right to recommend Morrison's deportation when he is released.

We are well rid of brutes like him.