A TEENAGER has been jailed after stabbing a man in the face with a machete.

Dry Hayden, 19, stabbed Anthony Gransden, a man in his thirties, near a bus shelter outside Radius Court in Bracknell on August 9, seemingly unprovoked.

Mr Gransden, who had known Hayden for about a year, had been talking to two other unnamed people about being provided pregabalin, a prescription medication for anxiety and epilepsy, when Hayden approached and ‘swung’ for the mans face.

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At Reading Crown Court on Friday (November 10), Hayden was sent a youth offenders institute for three years and nine months for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article.

The court heard that Mr Gransden had been travelling to a nearby Travelodge to meet his girlfriend when he met two people he knew and discussed the pregabalin.

Hayden approached the group and ‘everything was amicable’ at first. But he left the group and returned moments later with a ‘machete-styled’ weapon in his waistband.

Prosecutor Richard Mandell said: “The defendant drew the machete as he approached Mr Gransden and swung the blade, forcing Mr Gransden into the road but a second swing connected with Mr Gransden’s face.”

A passerby stopped his vehicle and took Mr Gransden to hospital. He has since had multiple medical treatments for the fracture to his skull, cheekbone, temple and eyelid.

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Reading his victim impact statement to the court, the tree surgeon said his left eye no longer shuts properly and he may need further hospital treatment.

He said: “Since the incident, I’ve been very paranoid and I’ve been considering therapy.

“I’m meant to feel safe in my own home, I’m always on edge and I don’t feel safe. Everyday, I look at my face and it reminds me of what happened to me.

“No matter what help I get mentally, my face is a permanent reminder. I’m 6”3, I’m a big bloke, but I feel like a scared little boy.”

Hayden handed himself into the police five days later but made no comments during interviews.

His defence barrister, David Burgess, said: “It’s rare that the court is faced with a young man who pleads guilty to such an offence.”

He added that Hayden has no previous convictions, lacks maturity due to his age, and helps to care for his mother who is terminally ill.

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“It’s a sad case no matter which way you look at it,” he said. “From Mr Gransden’s view and from Mr Hayden’s view and his family – there are no winners here.”

Hayden, of Farley Hill, Luton, will serve half his sentence in custody before being released on licence