A TEENAGER has been locked up for more than nine years for almost slicing off a man's finger in a "horrific and devastating" machete attack.

Uwais Khan and an accomplice armed with a hammer and a metal bar lay in wait for their victim on a nursing home car park shortly after midnight on December 5, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

The "merciless" joint attack left professional care worker Syed Naqvi, 24, with appalling, life-changing injuries to his left hand and a deep gash to his leg.

He endured nine hours of surgery on his severely damaged hand, with revascularization of his almost severed little finger, prosecutor Chloe Fairley told the court.

Khan, 18, of Thorpe Avenue, Thornton, Bradford, pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Mr Naqvi with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

Miss Fairley said Khan and Mr Naqvi lived in the same area of Bradford and Mr Naqvi was able to name him and give his address to the police.

Mr Naqvi was set upon when he was crossing the car park at the Links Care Centre in Kismet Gardens, Bradford, half an hour after midnight.

He was on his way to visit his girlfriend and on the phone to her when he was tapped on the shoulder.

As he turned round he was struck to the legs by a cosh or bar and grabbed by his right arm by two males.

He was then hit on the leg leg up to five times by Khan wielding a machete.

Mr Naqvi said: "What are you doing? I know you."

He raised his left hand to protect himself and was struck with the weapon.

Mr Naqvi broke free and fled, leaving a shoe behind.

Police were at Khan's address within an hour, the court was told.

His clothes were in the washing machine and the machete was hidden under cushions on the sofa.

Mr Naqvi spent three days in hospital after surgery to repair tendon and nerve damage to his hand. Wires were inserted and removed two months later.

The machete wound to his leg was so deep it had chipped the bone, Miss Fairley said.

Mr Naqvi was still unable to clench his fist and was left with permanent damage to the function of his hand.

The court heard he had been forc ed to give up his job as a carer and could no longer attend the gym. He could not go bowling any more or play snooker with his friends.

He had flashbacks and was very anxious and very rarely left his home.

Mr Naqvi paid tribute to the work of staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary who had treated him but said he was ashamed of his scars and so devasted he had considered moving away from Bradford.

Khan's barrister, Yunus Valli, said he had only recently turned 18 when he committed the offence and had no relevant previous convictions.

He had been in custody ever since and was regretful and remorseful.

The offence was out of character and committed out of misguided loyalty.

"There must have been some background but he has been silent on that," Mr Valli said.

"Clearly there is more to it than meets the eye."

Khan was carer for his mother who suffered from a heart condition and his main concern was her welfare while he was locked up.

Recorder Abdul Iqbal QC sentenced Khan to nine years and seven months detention in a young offender institution for an attack he described as "merciless."

He told Khan: "The facts of this offence are startling and worrying. There is no motive put before this court as to why you behaved in this way."

It was a premeditated joint enterprise at night to attack Mr Naqvi with a machete, a hammer and a metal bar.

He had suffered "horrific and devastating" permanent injuries.

After the case, Detective Constable Glen Doran, of Bradford District CID, said: "Khan has never explained why he attacked his victim in such a savage and brutal manner.

"We hope the sentence he has received will be of some comfort to his victim, who continues to undergo surgery for his injuries.

"Those who inflict injuries with weapons need to be brought to justice and we hope this outcome will act as a deterrent to others.

"All incidents involving weapons are taken very seriously and anyone with information about those in possession of weapons can report it to police on 101, or give anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."