A WEYMOUTH beggar is today starting a life sentence for carrying out a 'frenzied' town centre knife attack.

Warren Spencer Cox received the mandatory sentence at Dorchester Crown Court yesterday for severely wounding a stranger in St Mary Street in May.

The punishment comes after the 32-year-old was ordered to serve eight years in a young offender institute after being convicted of attempted murder for a knife attack on a taxi driver in London in 1991.

Judge John Harrow yesterday jailed Cox, of no fixed abode, after hearing how he slashed victim Keith Jones, 46, after begging for money late at night.

Mr Jones, who was visiting the town with family, was left permanently disfigured after suffering severe cuts to his face, ribs and abdomen.

Sentencing Cox, Judge Harrow told him he was 'fortunate Mr Jones had not died from his horrific injuries'.

At an earlier hearing Cox had pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent.

Judge Harrow said: "This was a frenzied attack which has disfigured an innocent man. His injuries are nothing short of horrific."

Prosecutor Robert Grey told the court the attack was sparked after Mr Jones, his two brothers and nephew were 'pestered' by the defendant who was begging them for money at around 11pm.

Mr Grey said Cox, formerly of Portmore Gardens, and the victim began to grapple after Mr Jones told the beggar to 'go away'.

"Witnesses then describe the defendant using a sharp metal instrument, such as a knife, on Mr Jones," he said.

"This was something of a frenzied attack," said Mr Grey who added that the victim underwent an operation to close his wounds. Mr Jones was rushed to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester with his most severe injuries being a 15cm cut to the left side of the forehead, an eight cm cut to his left cheek and a deep neck wound.

Cox escaped but was arrested the next day after being spotted in Weymouth town centre, the court heard.

He told police he couldn't remember the incident because he had taken heroin and drunk a large amount of alcohol that day.

When asked about the knife, Cox told officers he had previously owned one but had thrown it away in a public bin.

In mitigation, David Richards said although Cox's attack was not prolonged, his injuries were 'ghastly'.

"When he is sober and not using drugs, he is a very pleasant, creative and positive person which makes this all the more tragic," he said.

"He feels ashamed and disgraced and has been reduced to tears upon looking at photographs of Mr Jones' injuries."

Judge Harrow said he had no option but to hand Cox a mandatory life sentence under the 1997 Crime Sentences Act because of his previous conviction for attempted murder.

He said Cox, who has served 124 days in custody since the offence, would receive a notional sentence of six years for the wounding with intent offence.

Judge Harrow said Cox should not be liable to apply for parole for two years and 241 days and will remain on licence for the rest of his life.