A MAN who attacked two pub bouncers with a scythe has been jailed for six years and put on licence for the rest of his life.

Liam Sheehy was found guilty at Newport crown court of wounding Carl Webber with intent and unlawfully wounding Dennis Tranter outside the Castle Hotel, Tredegar.

Judge Christopher Morton told Sheehy, 35, he was being put on licence for the rest of his life and jailed for six years - because he had committed a second serious offence after being convicted of fracturing a woman's jaw ten years ago.

David Elias, prosecuting, said Sheehy, of Market Street, Tredegar, attacked both men, who work as doormen at the Red Lion pub in the town, after an argument with Mr Webber on Saturday , April 6.

He said Mr Webber had thrown Sheehy out of the Red Lion the previous week.

Mr Webber told the court that after being ejected, Sheehy had threatened him with a shotgun and had damaged his car. Mr Webber admitted he elbowed Sheehy in the face in a row over damage in the Castle Hotel.

Mr Tranter told the court that 20 minutes later they were confronted by Sheehy as they left the hotel.

He said he saw him "fidgeting in his jacket" before producing a scythe, and a fight took place which left the three covered in blood.

Mr Tranter received wounds to his head from the weapon, Mr Webber received a cut hand and Sheehy received cuts to his lip.

Tom Crowther, defending, accused the two bouncers of lying and having inconsistent stories.

Judge Morton said: "I bear in mind that you were the subject of insult and violence yourself shortly before the incident, but you left to collect a sickle and lay in wait for your victims."

Sheehy was sentenced to six years for wounding with intent and two years concurrently for unlawful wounding, and placed on licence for the rest of his life.

After the case, Mr Tranter said the attack had left him with scythe-shaped scars on both sides of his head.

Mr Tranter, 33, of Walter Conway Avenue, Cefn Golau, said: "He should have been given a longer sentence because as far as I'm concerned someone could have been killed. There is the worry he will come back for more when he is let out."