A 28-year-old man has been jailed for more than a year after smashing a bottle in the face of another man in Brighton.
Bradley Hughes, 28, attacked his 25-year-old victim when trying to rob him in Royal Crescent in Kemp Town.
He was surprised when his victim refused to hand over his money and then chased him by chance into the path of two off-duty police officers.
A patrol car spotted the chase in Marine Parade and arrested Hughes while the off-duty officers tended the victim’s wounds.
The victim, who comes from Newhaven, needed surgery after receiving a large cut across his eyebrow and large cuts to the cheek during the attack on Wednesday 23 March.
The off-duty officers saw Hughes, of Slindon Avenue, Peacehaven, throw the broken bottle into a hedge.
The bottle was recovered and formed part of the evidence that helped a jury at Hove Crown Court to convict him.
They found Hughes guilty of causing grievous bodily harm on Thursday (8 September) at the end of a four-day trial.
Detective Constable Robin Aspin, of Sussex Police, said: “This was a vicious and shocking robbery attempt that left the victim with serious facial injuries.
“The victim has shown immense bravery throughout and he is pleased that justice has now been done.
“Sussex Police will always pursue the conviction of violent criminals to bring them before the courts and face the consequences.”
After Hughes was sentenced the victim thanked the police, saying: “You have done the best job you possibly could have.”
