AN AMMANFORD cocaine buyer was jailed after slashing his dealer’s face with a knife in the town’s park, over a previously underweight ‘deal,’ a court heard.

The victim later needed 12 stitches to a wound on his jaw.

Swansea Crown Court heard the man who wielded the knife, David Noel Sheridan, of Parcyrhun, had a ‘dysfunctional upbringing’.

Georgina Buckley, prosecuting, said the incident took place at around 4am on May 30 this year in Ammanford park.

The court heard Damian Debudaj and his girlfriend were walking in the park when they encountered Sheridan and a friend.

According to Sheridan’s own admissions he and an associate had purchased a gram of cocaine from Mr Debujai the previous evening.

When he got home, he found it was an ‘underweight deal’ and called Mr Debujai to arrange a meeting.

The court heard that 26-year-old Sheridan and Mr Debujai got into an argument which developed into a ‘scuffle’.

Sheridan produced a knife, and, as they grappled, he caught his victim in the cheek with the blade.

A bleeding Mr Debujai ran away and was chased by Sheridan as far as his car.

Mr Debujai and his girlfriend drove to Ammanford police station where officers administered first aid before he was taken to hospital.

The court heard he needed 12 stitches in an "S"-shaped wound on his jaw.

Sheridan was arrested at home the following day.

The court heard Mr Debujai had been left suffering with panic attacks and flashbacks.

Sheridan had previously pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, inflicting grievous bodily harm, and possession of a knife when he appeared for sentencing.

He has no previous convictions for violence in the UK but has a conviction for assault from Ireland in 2014.

Stephen Rees, defending, said it was clear from a pre-sentence report that Sheridan was remorseful for his actions.

Judge Christopher Clee QC sentenced Sheridan to 33 months in prison; 33 months for attempted robbery, 18 months for GBH, and 12 months for possession of a knife, all to run concurrently.