TWO young drug dealers have been jailed for a total of 22 years for a near-fatal knife attack on a man in a Southampton park.

Che Yethman-Spaine, 20, with a knife, slashed Jamie Royall across the neck in Watts Park believing he had robbed their drug-dealing operation previously.

Yethman-Spaine was this afternoon at Winchester Crown Court sent to prison for 14 years for attempted murder.

Callum Edwards, 18, had been acquitted by a jury of attempted murder but convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent, cutting Mr Royall on the hand with a knife.

He was jailed for eight years by the judge, Mrs Justice May, who added a four-year extended licence to both men’s sentences.

The trial heard that both men were from London and part of a 'county lines' drugs operation whereby they would drive to Southampton from Tottenham and then arrange to sell drugs to customers at various locations.

Mr Royall's life was saved by emergency surgery at Southampton General Hospital.

Both men were charged with possession of a knife and for that Yethman-Spaine could another six months and 27 months for conspiracy to deal cocaine and heroin.

Edwards received 21 months for conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, nine months for possessing ammunition and three months for possessing criminal property, namely an Adidas bag with drugs, a knife and £520 in cash.

All these other offences will be served concurrently to the assault sentences.

The judge described both men as dangerous and said their only mitigation was their age as they continue to deny the assault allegations.