A CROOK who attacked a man with a broken mop handle two days after being released from jail has been sentenced to a prison term of four and half years.

Mark Congrave flew into a fury when a girlfriend alleged an attempted rape by another man while he was locked up.

He sent victim David Jones a letter from his cell threatening to "cut his face off", Worcester Crown Court heard.

Then, after being freed, he called at Mr Jones' flat in Salter's Lane, Batchley, and caused a deep head cut with the jagged-edged mop.

Congrave, aged 27, of Wishaw Close, Greenlands, pleaded guilty last week to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The case had been adjourned to assess the time he had spent on remand. A total of 118 days will be deducted from the sentence.

Recorder David Jones - who shares the same name as the victim - said it was "a very grave offence", although set against a domestic background.

He accepted Congrave had not armed himself before entering the premises and said he had not reached the level of being a danger to the public.

Congrave's girlfriend spent some time at the victim's flat because she had nowhere else to live, said prosecutor Delroy Henry. But he emphasised there had been "no sexual contact" between her and Mr Jones.

Congrave was released from custody on May 13 but two days later followed up his threat and became involved in a slanging match with Mr Jones at his home.

He hit Mr Jones twice with the broken mop, causing the head wound and slice marks on his arms.

Congrave had previous convictions for assault, affray, burglary, criminal damage and drug crime.

His barrister, Nigel Stelling, said he was upset by the sex claim and ended up lashing out.