A PART-time carer who stabbed a man in the face left court with a suspended jail sentence after the judge accepted he had used excessive force in self-defence.

Nick Montgomery, aged 21, of Musgrave Road, Heaton, stabbed Christian Cullen through the cheek with a seven-inch kitchen knife after the other man attacked him at a house party in Lawn Street, Halliwell, Manchester Crown Court heard.

The blade went right through Mr Cullen’s cheek and into his tongue, leaving a 2cm stab wound in his face and a 3mm wound in his tongue. Mr Cullen needed three stitches after the incident.

The court heard yesterday that Mr Cullen arrived at a house party about 3.20am and had tried to throw out Montgomery.

Montgomery had been playing cards and computer games.

The court heard that Mr Cullen, who had drunk eight pints, attacked Montgomery, ripping his shirt in the process.

Montgomery picked up the knife and lashed out, stabbing Mr Cullen in the face. He pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

Judge Michael Henshell said: “You picked up a weapon, a seveninch knife, which would indicate more fault on your part. You used excessive self defence, which can lower your fault.”

Montgomery was given a 50-week jail sentence, suspended for two years.

After the case, Montgomery said he was pleased not to have been jailed.

He is a part-time carer for his mum, Pauline Montgomery, aged 44, who suffers from a number of medical problems.

She said: “I’m just glad that everything’s over now.”