A MAN slashed his victim’s throat at a premises on a busy residential street in an attack before throwing the weapon away in a dishwasher.

Anthony Hatton sliced Simon Hawkins with a 2.5in flick knife after an argument between the pair broke out in Octavia Road, Southampton.

Southampton Crown Court heard that Mr Hawkins was in a relationship with a woman that Hatton regarded as a daughter.

After Hatton heard that Mr Hawkins was alone at his home as his family had gone to Bournemouth, he decided to visit him at his property and the two had a row.

The court was told Hatton,55, opened and brandished a flick knife and during a struggle the weapon made contact with Mr Hawkins’s throat, causing a cut about one inch lover his Adam’s apple.

James Kellam, prosecutor, said the fact that the incident did not cause more serious injuries was “a matter of pure luck”.

Hatton immediately apologised and cleaned up while a neighbour who heard the row called the police, the court heard.

Hawkins told officers he had been cut and Hatton was arrested.

The court was told Hatton took advantage of an opportunity to dispose of the knife discarding it in the dishwasher.

When interviewed by officers, Hatton initially denied the offence but he then admitted it.

In a victim impact statement read to the court by Mr Kellam, Mr Hawkins said he had “lost all confidence and had to give up his job”. He also said he was left “mystified and shocked to have been attacked” and “upset to think he could have died”.

Hatton, of Westfield Road, Chandler’s Ford, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in public and causing grievous bodily harm.

He will spend 12-months behind bars.

As well as jail, a two-year restraining order was made to protect Mr Hawkins and the knife was forfeited and destroyed.