VIOLENT serial offender Jeris Ryan has been jailed for 13 years after a sustained knife attack on Bonfire Night in a dispute over urinating near a parked car.

On November 5 last year, 23-year-old Luis Mendes saw Ryan close to his car in the town centre and challenged him, getting the better of the 31-year-old in a scuffle.

After the two parted ways to their cars, Ryan thought he saw Mr Mendes retrieve a spanner to use as a weapon, at which point he drove back to the scene, retrieving a blade from his car and stabbing his victim four times to the back.

During a trial last week at Swindon Crown Court, CCTV was shown which proved there could be no doubt of Ryan's attack, which included between six to 10 blows with the knife in his hand.

"This is a sustained assault on the same victim, and it could have been so much worse," said prosecutor Rob Welling. "Had Mr Mendes not been quick enough to get out of the way, it is clear he was minded on stabbing him as many times as he was able. There were four wounds to the back of the victim, and one in particular was a four cm deep wound on his shoulder. The neck wound will be particularly serious given it is so close to so many important veins and arteries.

"Mr Ryan has, since being a juvenile, been committing offences of dishonesty and violence routinely throughout his teenage years and his twenties."

Included in Ryan's 35 previous convictions for 87 offences are numerous assaults on police officers, carrying stun guns, being in possession of 10 inch kitchen knives and various incidents of assault and affray.

"In one incident when he was upset about having his bicycle stolen, he has taken an axe on to the street and chased some young teenagers," added Mr Welling.

Marcus Davey, defending Ryan, of Victoria Road, said the attack was over in seconds.

"Mr Ryan was driving off and away when he suddenly saw Mr Mendes and decided to stop," he said. "That decision was spontaneous and unplanned.There happened to be a knife in the car and he grabbed it and reacted."

Judge Tim Mousley QC, sentencing, said: "The assault was sustained and repeated, there were multiple stabs made, and there was the potential for greater harm, perhaps even the greatest harm. Your reacting in that way was a response to Mr Mendes getting the better of you in a fairer fight."

After the hearing, Detective Constable Justin Downes of Swindon CID said: “Jeris Ryan is a prolific violent offender with a long history of convictions. He has shown no remorse for his actions.

“On that particular day in November, the victim was going about his own business with his girlfriend when he was brutally stabbed several times in an extremely violent attack. As a result of Ryan’s actions, the victim suffered serious injuries.

“Although the incident itself lasted less than a minute, the victim will carry the physical and emotional scars with him for the rest of his life.

“I am extremely pleased with the sentence given out today – I believe it reflects the seriousness of this crime and sends a clear message out to members of the public that Wiltshire Police do not tolerate violent behaviour like this.”