A DAD from Worcester has admitted wounding with intent and has been told he faces an inevitable and lengthy jail sentence.

Joseph Roberts pleaded guilty to section 18 wounding when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday.

The 27-year-old of Drake Avenue, Dines Green, Worcester was formally arraigned by the clerk of the court, answering 'guilty' to the single count on the indictment.

The particulars of the offence are that on November 10 last year he unlawfully and maliciously wounded George Charteris with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

No details of the assault were discussed in court at the short plea hearing but Christopher Lester, prosecuting, argued it was a category two case (category one being the most serious) with a starting point in the sentencing guidelines of six years in custody with a range available to the sentencing judge of between five and nine years.

Jason Aris, for Roberts, asked judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC to adjourn the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service.

Mr Aris said Roberts was a man who 'does have antecedence' but had been 'very much out of trouble' for the last four years.

He said: "There's nothing really very similar on his record. Though inevitably it must be a custodial sentence at the conclusion of the case, it would be my submission there's some very significant mitigation which can be placed before the court."

Mr Aris described his client as a father-of-three in full time work and he said the defence would welcome the opportunity to obtain some character references on his behalf.

Judge Peace-Higgins adjourned the case until the week commencing November 26.

Roberts was granted bail on condition he has no contact directly or indirectly with the victim.

The judge said: "He faces a significant custodial sentence."