A THUG who used his dog as a weapon and a man who attempted to murder his friend in a frenzied knife attack appeared at Worcester Crown Court last week.

Andrew Cornes was jailed for eight years after setting his dog Kimbo on a man in The Trinity in Worcester.

The 35-year-old, of George Street, Worcester admitted grievous bodily harm with intent (section 18) and being the owner of a dog which caused injuries while dangerously out of control. Two other men were also jailed for their role in attacking the same victim, punching and kicking him in the head after the dog had finished mauling him.

The fate of the dog has yet to be determined by the court.

Richard Smith received a 23 year sentence for attempted murder after he bashed his former friend about the head with an electric storage heater in the victim's own flat before inflicting 24 separate knife wounds to his head, neck, back and hands.

The 32-year was jailed for 18 years with an extended licence period of five years (total sentence 23 years) at Worcester Crown Court for the ferocious Malvern attack.

Drug conspirator Kyle Williams is now behind bars after he set up a drugs business using two city hotels as centres to deal crack cocaine and heroin, foiled by hotel staff who alerted police.

The 32-year-old trafficker from Birmingham used the Travelodge in Cathedral Plaza and the Premier Inn in New Road as bases but also had keys to a property in The Tything where he planned to set up a more permanent base. He was jailed for four years and four months.

Kyle Saunders, aged 20, of Woodmancote, Worcester, admitted a single count of intimidation when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court.

He tried to get a witness to withdraw his statement so his brother would be released from jail but was spared a prison sentence himself.