TWO teenagers from Widnes have been sentenced for an unprovoked attack on another youth who had been out celebrating New Year.

The victim, a 17-year-old from the town, was walking home along Widnes Road at about 12.30am after spending New Year's Eve at a pub.

He was slashed across the face and throat by 16-year-old Ethan Black with a broken bottle which had been handed to him by the other youth - a 14-year-old.

The victim received near fatal injuries and due to the severity of the attack had to spend three days in hospital recovering.

On Friday at Warrington Crown Court, Black was sentenced to be detained indefinitely with no parole possible for four-and-a-half years. He had previously pleaded guilty to assault. Reporting restrictions were lifted so he could be named.

His co-defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to a 12-month detention and training order. He had pleaded guilty to assault.

Following sentencing, DC Chris Jones of the Northern Area Specialist Investigation Unit said: I hope these sentences send out a message to all members of the local community that incidents like these will not be tolerated by the police and we have a team of committed detectives who will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.'