A Watford teenager was jailed for seven years and three months on Tuesday for stabbing another man in the cheek and causing an affray.

Joshua Richards, 19, used a knife to attack Jake Emmons in Watford, causing a deep wound to his cheek which needed plastic surgery.

Prosecutor Michael Shaw told St Albans crown court that Richards came out of his room at a hostel for young homeless people in Rickmansworth Road to confront Mr Emmons and another youth who had been seeing the same girl as Richards. Trouble broke out and Jake Emmons was injured.

He was treated at Watford General Hospital for a 2.5 centimetre deep wound. The wound was extremely painful, said the prosecutor.

The police arrested Richards, who said he had been hit first with a brick. He denied using a knife.

He was bailed and in July was involved in an affray at a house in Watford while drunk.

Richards of The Berries, Rickmansworth Road, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent on February 28 last year. He also pleaded to affray on July 18 last year.

He had a previous conviction for robbery. He appeared in court via a video link from Bedford jail.

Mark Nicholls, defending, said Richards had been living in a hostel for homeless young people. He asked for credit for his guilty plea.

Judge Stephen Gullick jailed him for six years three months for the GBH with intent and 12 months for the affray.