DETECTIVES have welcomed the jail sentence handed down to a 21-year-old who stabbed an older man in the side.

Joseph Bridgeman, of Chestnut Avenue, Tidworth, was given four years and 10 months at Swindon Crown Court this week after he had earlier admitted wounding with intent and possession of a knife.

You can read our report from court here.

Welcoming the prison sentence, Swindon CID’s Det Sgt Scott Anger, who led the investigation, said: "The length of sentencing for this man reflects how serious this assault was with the victim almost losing his life.  Fortunately, he has fully recovered from his injuries.

"I would like to thank my colleagues from the Royal Wootton Bassett Community Policing Team for their prompt response to this incident; one which naturally concerned local residents at the time.  Their presence also reassured many local people on the day of the incident.

"I would also like to highlight the diligent work from the CID Investigation Team in recovering the evidence.  Both the quick work of the CPT and the thorough work of the CID officers led to Bridgeman's guilty plea and subsequent sentence."