Man jailed for smashing ex-boyfriend over the head with mug in vicious attack

Daniel Nielson (left) attacked Ashley Brittin with a mug. Credit: Northamptonshire Police

A man who smashed his ex-boyfriend over the head with a mug has been jailed for nearly five years.

Daniel Nielson, aged 27, also slashed Ashley Brittin across his neck, head and hand with the broken shards.

Following the break-up of the couple's two-year relationship, Mr Brittin had allowed Nielson to stay with him at his house in Raunds while he found somewhere else to live, but on the evening of February 1 a heated argument broke out.

After Mr Brittin took his cup of tea away, Nielson followed him to the sink and struck him over the head with the empty mug which he'd snatched back from Mr Brittin.

He then continued to strike out at Mr Brittin with the broken shards, leaving him with deep gashes to his head, neck and hand as he tried to fend off the blows, before pushing him down the stairs.

Nielson also slashed Mr Brittin with the broken shards. Credit: Northamptonshire Police

Mr Brittin got away and dialled 999 but he couldn't hear the emergency operator due to the blood coating his phone.

He was eventually helped to hospital by a neighbour and a friend who is a nurse.

It was later discovered that the neck wound only just missed his carotid artery.

Nielson, who had fled the home as his ex sought help, was later arrested nearby in his car.

At Northamptonshire Crown Court on Thursday, Nielson was ordered to serve four years and 10 months in prison and was also given a 10-year restraining order preventing him from approaching Mr Brittin.

Mr Brittin read out at powerful statement at Thursday's hearing in which he said he no longer felt safe at his home and had been forced to give up his career as a hairdresser as well as his role as a singer in a soul band.

“What Daniel has done destroyed me in so many ways, physically and mentally," he said.

“The worst impact is the lack of trust I now have in people, and right now I can’t imagine getting close to anyone again.

“I feel very happy that this is all over now and he has got what he deserved. Hopefully the sentence will make him think twice before he decides to attack anyone in the future, as well as giving me the chance to move on with my life."