A man left scarred by an assault which saw him slashed in the face with a knife is still suffering flashbacks.

Raheel Butt, 44, spoke to the Recorder after his attacker Dean Wilkins, 25, was jailed for six years last Wednesday.

Wilkins, of Tripack Close, in Fobbing, Essex, had admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.

Mr Butt, of Hornchurch, said: “Every time I go up my road I get flashbacks and when people drive too close to my car I get paranoid.

“But hopefully it will go with time.”

The incident, on January 9, happened after Wilkins pulled out in front of Mr Butt in Appleton Way, Hornchurch.

Mr Butt flashed his lights before the men moved off in different directions.

But after entering his estate, Mr Butt saw Wilkins park behind him and get out of his car. After asking what the man’s problem was, he was punched in the face.

Mr Butt pushed Wilkins back, but the assault continued after the attacker opened his car boot.

“I thought he was punching me but he had a Stanley knife and was slashing my face,” said Mr Butt.

“When I realised he had a knife I went to grab it and he dropped it.”

Wilkins drove off after Mr Butt’s neighbour came out of his home.

The victim had to have four stitches in his lip. He was also left with a gash near his left eye and a cut across his nose.

For Mr Butt, he felt more shocked than frightened during the assault.

“I was shaking with adrenaline and anger, I couldn’t believe this guy was attacking me for no reason. The biggest shock was he didn’t utter a word.

“But I’m still alive and well - it could have been a lot worse.”

The judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court said Wilkins will serve half of his sentence, before being released on a four-year licence period.

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Driver sentenced to six years in prison after stabbing man in the face in Hornchurch