A READING man has been jailed for a knife attack in Reading town centre days before Christmas last year.
Ervis Kola, aged 35, of Brighton Road, faces 10 years behind bars for the incident. He will also be on licence for five years after his release.
The incident took place in Market Place around 2pm on Tuesday, December 19.
It involved a verbal altercation between Kola and a man in his twenties.
Kola slashed the victim across the face and neck before fleeing.
The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and, even though these have since healed, the scars serve are a reminder.
Kola was arrested the same day and charged on Wednesday, December 20.
On June 16, he was found guilty of one count each of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place following a five-day hearing at Reading Crown Court, and was sentenced on Wednesday, September 6.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Kevin Godding, of Reading’s CID team, said: “This was a callous knife which occurred in broad daylight in a busy area while people were Christmas shopping.
“Knife crime will not be tolerated in our communities, and I hope that Kola’s lengthy sentence sends out a strong message that we will seek to prosecute those who do so.
“It is completely unacceptable for anybody to carry a knife, and Thames Valley Police will continue to pursue those who carry them and bring them before the courts.”
