A 22-YEAR-old who almost amputated a man's hand in a horrific machete attack has been jailed for at least 12 years.

Jordan Hughes, of Calgarth Avenue in Bewsey, left a 20-year-old in 'agonising pain', needing 12 hours of surgery to reattach his hand which had been severed outside McDonald's in Winwick Road.

Today, Wednesday, Liverpool Crown Court heard how Hughes offered no explanation for the attack on March 7, even 'revelling' in what he had done by posting a bloodied picture on Snapchat afterwards.

Katy Appleton, prosecuting the case, said the victim and three of his friends were in the McDonald's restaurant while Hughes was seen staring at them.

The two parties left the restaurant separately shortly after 3am, walking in the direction of Folly Lane.

The court heard how Hughes started shouting at the group 'for no apparent reason', before making his way across the road and removing a 40cm bladed weapon from his trousers.

The victim described the attack as a 'blur', first thinking the weapon was an umbrella, before putting his arm up to protect himself.

Witnesses described Hughes taking two or three swings with the machete, which struck the victim's hand and left it partially amputated at the wrist.

Warrington Guardian:

The attack happened at McDonald's on Winwick Road

The victim was taken to Whiston Hospital and required extensive and complex surgery to his hand, which still does not have full function.

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He has to wear a splint to try and straighten his wrist and prevent clawing and is in constant pain.

He described living in 'psychological torture' as a result of his injury.

On the afternoon of March 7, just hours after the attack, police were called to a large group of males fighting in Calgarth Avenue near Hughes' home address.

The court heard how, during this visit, police searched Hughes' bedroom where they found clothing covered in blood.

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He originally told police he had fallen over the previous night and cut his knee which had been bleeding.

Hughes was ultimately identified by his 'top-knot' hair style and diamond face tattoo.

Jeremy Rawson, representing Hughes said he is a shy person who will struggle in custody.

He added: "He is an unremarkable young man who has done something really out of character.

"It's going to be his first custodial sentence and it's going to be undoubtedly of some considerable length.

"He is sorry for what has happened and wishes he could turn the clock back."

Judge Gary Woodhall, sentencing in Liverpool Crown Court, said: "For no apparent or discerning reason, you began shouting at that group who were just minding their own businesses."

He added that the weapon had never been recovered, which indicated that Hughes was fully aware of what he had done and disposed of the evidence.

Judge Woodhall continued that on March 8, a Snapchat story was posted from Hughes' account with a photograph of himself covered in blood and the caption 'just got stabbed in the head lol'.

He explained: "Rather than regretting or having remorse for what you had done, you were revelling in what happened."

Due to Hughes lack of motive and the high level of violence used, Judge Woodhall was satisfied that Hughes could pose risk to the public.

He sentenced him to 12 years with an extended licence period of three years.

Hughes was also made subject to a restraining order.