A DAD-OF-TWO is lucky to be alive after he was stabbed in the neck with a broken glass bottle following a Christmas night out.

Joshua Murphy, 22, was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court today, Wednesday, after he admitted wounding 44-year-old Carl O'Neill outside Warrington Central train station.

Murphy, of East Avenue, Orford, narrowly missed slashing a major artery when he attacked the popular businessman, who runs a hair salon with his wife Mel, on Sunday, December 11.

The court heard how Mr O'Neill was waiting for a taxi outside the station at around 11.15pm following a Christmas party in Manchester with 10 of his colleagues.

It is understood the incident escalated after Murphy took offence when one of the victim’s friends laughed at him for vomiting in the street.

But while it was one of Murphy's friend who originally confronted Mr O'Neill and his colleagues, it was the 22-year-old who inflicted the life-changing injuries to the victim. 

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian after the sentencing, Mr O'Neill said: "As soon as we walked out of the train station we noticed that there were three lads and one tried to attack one of the staff.

"He [Murphy] had been sick.

"He had a bottle and he tried to hit him over the head with it.

“On the third attempt the bottle smashed on the hand rail and stabbed me in the neck."

Mr O’Neill quickly jumped in a taxi where he was rushed to Warrington Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

The following day the dad-of-two needed a two-hour operation.

But the ordeal was not over as Mr O'Neill was required to give evidence in court in front of a jury after Murphy pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent. 

"He wouldn't look at me. He said he was remorseful for his actions," added Mr O'Neill.

"I didn't get any satisfaction from seeing him go to jail."

Murphy was found not guilty of wounding with intent after a trial but admitted wounding.

Judge Conrad said Murphy attacked a 'totally innocent victim', who was fortunate not to have been killed.

He said: “You took offence at being mocked for vomiting. The situation I accept was inflamed by your friend.

“Had that wound been millimetres away, it may well have been a major artery had been severed, with consequences too terrible to contemplate. You may have been facing a homicide charge.”

Judge Conrad accepted Murphy was 'deeply sorry' for his actions.