A BUSINESSMAN attacked a man at a neighbour's party, leaving him with a 10cm gaping wound in his neck.

Anthony Elston, boss of skip hire firm AMP NW Ltd, was jailed for two years and four months at Bolton Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that 41-year-old Elston was drunk when he flew into a rage at the 30th birthday party being held at his next-door-neighbour's home in Lostock Junction Lane, Lostock on July 1 last year.

Also at the party was 31-year-old Samuel Mcguiness who, at 11.30pm, decided to leave and rang for a taxi.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, told the court how Mr Mcguiness went to the bathroom and was walking back down the stairs when he looked up to see a fist about to punch him in the face.

Elston punched him in the eye, causing Mr Mcguiness to fall back onto the stairs, and rained down more blows.

"He put his hands up in a effort to defend himself," said Mr Williamson, who added that the victim them heard the sound of breaking glass, saw blood and thought it was coming from his nose.

In fact Elston had used a glass or bottle on Mr Mcguiness, slicing open the right side of his neck.

Other party-goers pulled Elston away and he want back to his home next door and was in the shower when police arrived to arrest him shortly afterwards.

Party guests used towels to stem the blood and Mr Mcguiness needed 17 stitches to the wound in his neck.

Mr Williamson said the cut, which was down to the muscle, severed a nerve, causing the neck to remain painful, and has left a prominent scar.

He added that the injury has had a profound effect on Mr Mcguiness, who now avoids going out and has had to have counselling for the psychological impact.

The Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Timothy Clayson was told that there was no obvious reason for the unprovoked attack on Mr Mcguiness.

Robert Kearney, defending, stressed that Elston, a married father-of-five, is a man of previous good character who is remorseful and "wishes he could turn back the clock."

He said Elston has built up his successful skip hire business, now employs 35 people, and his behaviour has shocked people who know him, who describe him as hard-working, generous and kind hearted.

"It is at odds with the craziness which occurred on that evening," said Mr Kearney.

"On the face of it he had a very good life, with everything going for it, and he has potentially lost it all."

Elston pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and, sentencing him, Judge Clayson told him: "You appeared to be drunk — maybe that explained, in part, why you did what you did."

He added:"This was clearly something that was out of character. I accept you do feel remorse for the consequences of what happened to your victim."

Elston looked toward family and friends who filled the courtroom's public gallery as he was led away to start his sentence.