TWO men who attacked a cyclist with a machete in Ellesmere Port have been jailed for 18 years.

Tommy Mattison, 20, and 21-year-old Mark Davison both pleaded guilty to section 18 assault and possession of a bladed article.

On Wednesday, November 1 at around 1pm a 31-year-old man was cycling on Princes Road when Mattison and Davison, who were also cycling in the area, entered a verbal altercation with the victim before slashing him with a machete.

Both offenders fled the scene and were charged after an investigation by detectives from Ellesmere Port CID.

Mattison of Oliver Lane, Great Sutton and Davison, of Acre Road, Great Sutton, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, June 20 where they were both jailed for nine years.

The pair were also handed with indefinite restraining orders which prevent them from having any contact with the victim.

Detective sergeant Graeme Carvell said: “This was a vicious targeted assault which left the victim with serious injuries.

"Mattison and Davison are both dangerous individuals and we hope that the people of Ellesmere Port feel reassured now that they are behind bars.

"Violent crime will not be tolerated and the sentence handed down by the courts reflects that.

"We hope that this case will act as a deterrent to other potential offenders and will send out a strong message that such behaviour is not acceptable.

"We hope that this case also reinforces the commitment of local officers in tackling this type of crime."