been sentenced to four years behind bars.

Father of two, Shane Todd, 23, of Pembroke Park Lane, slashed Niketta Fubler's face after a drink and drugs binge on January 15. He also dragged her through his aunt's Broome Street home, threatening to kill her.

Ms Fubler needed 12 stitches after receiving two deep gashes -- a two-and-a half-inch cut to the cheek and a three-inch cut to her head. The top of one of her ears was also sliced off.

In the Supreme Court yesterday Todd pleaded guilty to the charge of wounding causing bodily harm without intent, a crime which carries a maximum sentence of five years.

The court heard how Todd accompanied his victim to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and began crying after the incident. He also threatened to commit suicide.

Defence lawyer Richard Horseman asked Chief Justice Austin Ward to consider his client's guilty plea and the fact that his client was not in a clear state of mind at the time of the attack.

"He is willing to accept help for his problems,'' Mr. Horseman told the court.

"He is extremely remorseful for his actions and is willing to take full responsibility.'' Mr. Horseman said he had even noticed a change in his client during the period of incarceration.

Citing cases of a similar nature, Mr. Horseman suggested a sentence of between 18 months and two years and asked the Chief Justice to exercise some degree of mercy.

But Crown counsel Larry Mussenden said: "Society does frown on these kinds of cases.'' "A sentence should send a message not only to the defendant, but to the entire community that domestic violence will not be tolerated.'' It was also revealed in court that there was a history of abuse between Todd and his former partner.

Before the sentencing was passed, Todd said: "I would like to apologise to Miss Fubler and her family for my actions.

"I am trying to make a change in my life. I feel that with me being up at Westgate, I will be able to look back at what I have done and better myself.'' But Mr. Justice Ward said apart from Todd's confession, there were no mitigating circumstances in the case.

He also prescribed counselling for Todd's drug and alcohol addictions.

The court also heard of Todd's horrendous criminal record. He has been convicted more than ten times since 1989 for offences including drug possession and car theft.