A SERIAL offender who stabbed a stranger in the street with a broken bottle has been jailed for five and a half years.

Freddie Clow, 27, of no fixed abode, Penzance, carried out the brutal attack in the early hours of July, 1 2025.

Clow was convicted of section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Truro Crown Court in January. He had previously pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage.

He returned to the court to be sentenced on Friday, February 27.

The jury heard during the trial how on the night in question the victim was walking home along Market Jew Street after visiting the Seven Stars inn.

He recalls walking along the street, and the next thing being kicked around ‘like a football’.

The victim remembers an ambulance crew turning up and then waking up in hospital.

The incident was partially recorded from overlooking addresses, footage which formed part of the case.

A first witness described seeing Clow stood over the victim, then appearing to go through his clothing and pick something up from him or next to him, before walking off.

The victim was lying face down on the floor, not moving and with blood all over his back. His wallet was found a short distance away.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated for various wounds. A glass fragment was found in the skin.

A second witness heard sounds of an argument, a thud and a bottle smashing from his flat.

He looked out the window and recognised the defendant due to Clow featuring in the local media on several occasions for criminal behaviour.

The witness, who also filmed part of the incident, saw Clow kick and punch a man on the floor before going through his pockets. Such was the ferocity of the attack, the witness feared the victim may have been dead.

Clow then casually left the scene holding something.

A third witness was unable to sleep so went for a walk and located the victim face down bleeding from a wound on his back.

He saw two men walking away laughing and remained at the scene and assisted with first aid before police arrival.

The criminal damage offence occurred ten minutes later when paving slabs and bricks were thrown at a property near to the scene of the initial attack.

Clow was clearly identified as being responsible and arrested for both incidents a short time later.

Officer in the case, DC Rhys Salisbury said: “This was a brutal and unprovoked attack committed against a victim who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time as he made his way home after an evening out.

“Freddie Clow armed himself with a broken bottle and then left the victim for dead at the end of the attack. It was only a matter of luck that the victim’s injuries weren’t fatal, and this didn’t become a murder investigation.

“We hope this sentence shows that there is no place for violent crime in our society. We will continue to actively pursue and bring those responsible for such violence to justice.”