A Collier Row teenager was slashed in the neck after a 40-year-old man called his brother to assist him in a fight.

Romford Recorder: Ryan O'Donnell was stabbed in the neck in a violent attackRyan O'Donnell was stabbed in the neck in a violent attack (Image: Archant)

Vicious Gary Warren has been jailed for 12 years after slashing victim Ryan O’Donnell, 18, in the neck, within seconds of meeting him.

He had attempted to evade capture by fleeing to Tenerife following the incident but was arrested at the airport.

On July 9 last year, his brother, 40-year-old Lee Warren, of Lowshoe Road, Collier Row, started a fight outside the Royal British Legion in Collier Row with a group of 21st Birthday party attendees.

As the incident unfolded, he phoned his brother, Gary Warren, 48, of Jaywick Lane, Clacton-on-Sea, to come and assist him.

Romford Recorder: Lee Warren pleaded guilty to affray at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to 12 months� imprisonment, suspended for two years.Lee Warren pleaded guilty to affray at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to 12 months� imprisonment, suspended for two years. (Image: Archant)

Within seconds of arriving, Gary slashed Ryan O’Donnell’s neck, slicing through an artery.

A close friend of Mr O’Donnell, who was a trainee paramedic, provided life saving first aid at the scene and he later underwent surgery.

Following the attack, Lee Warren handed himself in the next day.

Gary Warren was detained at Gatwick Airport on the morning of July 11 whilst attempting to flee the country.

Following a nine-day trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Gary Warren was found guilty of GBH with intent and possession of an offensive weapon and jailed for 12 years.

Lee Warren pleaded guilty to affray at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to pay the victim costs.

Sgt Ben McNish said: “I hope that the lengthy sentence handed out to Gary Warren gives some comfort to the victim and his family.

“The victim was present through the whole trial and conducted himself with dignity and bravery.

“This conviction was the product of exceptional detective work by my team and has ended in two violent men being convicted.”

The victim, Ryan O’Donnell said: “This was an extremely scary experience I was just lucky to have a very calm and smart friend who saved my life.

“It is a positive result from court and I would like to thank the police for the professionalism shown throughout this investigation.”