JAILED: Thug slashed former friend's throat outside Wolverhampton shop

Violence flared following a chance meeting between Danny Miller and Michael McIntosh in Wolverhampton three weeks after the pair fell out over money.

The victim later explained: "He looked at me and said 'I have cut your throat' and I looked down and could see the blood running down my jumper.

"I was frightened. I could not see the extent of the injury but I could feel the blood running down my neck. I tried to stay calm because I knew that if I panicked it would make things worse."

Miller, aged 41, pulled out a craft knife and slashed Mr McIntosh minutes after they had been warned by police to stay away from each other following an argument in Lichfield Street on July 30.

But the row continued after both men went into the nearby Poundland store and the victim was knifed when they stepped from the shop into the Wulfrun Centre, the court heard.

Mr Graeme Simpson, prosecuting, said: "Fortunately the blade did not hit any arteries or veins. He was very lucky."

Miller went back into Poundland where he was pursued by security guard Daniel Paul and detained in the neighbouring Argos shop after dropping the knife in a rubbish bin where it was later recovered by police.

Officers also discovered a friction lock baton in the rucksack Miller was carrying when arrested although there was no suggestion this weapon was used in the attack.

Miller from Weston Drive, Bilston, who was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, denied wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon but was convicted of both offences after a trial. He admitted possession of a second offensive weapon, the friction lock baton.