A MAN jailed for nine years for a stabbing in a flat near Bridgwater Fair has had his ‘unduly lenient’ sentence increased by senior judges.

Lee Tremayne, of Turner Close, Bridgwater, was sent down for nine years in March after being convicted of wounding with intent and assault by beating following two incidents last September.

Tremayne, 25, caused permanent scarring to his victim, Alexander Lunnis, by stabbing him with a knife after finding him at the home of Tremayne’s then girlfriend.

But last Thursday (June 12) three Court of Appeal judges increased Tremayne’s jail term to 12 years after hearing of his long history of offences involving blades.

In a statement made after the hearing, Solicitor General Oliver Heald QC, said: “This was a dreadful attack on an unarmed man, who was repeatedly stabbed and slashed by Lee Tremayne, who had a string of convictions for violence and knives.

“I hope this renewed sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment serves as a warning to those who blight our society with violence and weapons.”

The court heard how Tremayne assaulted his girlfriend the day before the attack because he thought she was being unfaithful.

The next day he attacked the victim at Tremayne’s girlfriend’s flat.

A spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office told the Mercury: “He attacked the victim, causing lacerations to his face, neck, back, arms and legs.

“The attack caused permanent scarring and has left his lip numb.

“Tremayne had 28 previous convictions for 82 offences, starting from when he was 16.

“They included convictions for possessing a bladed article in a public place, threatening a police officer and actual bodily harm.”

The case was back in court following an application by the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC, to increase the sentence on the grounds it was too lenient.