A BRUTE who slashed a man's leg to the bone in a drug-related attack could be given an extended prison sentence for the protection of the public.

Stephen Stoddart will be assessed by experts asked to consider whether he should be classed as a "dangerous offender" because of his vicious past.

Stoddart, of Langdale Road, Darlington, has two previous convictions for violence, Teesside Crown Court heard after he admitted his latest crimes.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent during the incident in Richmond, North Yorkshire, in November last year.

The court was told during a previous hearing that Stoddart's victim suffered a broken back in a freak accident following the brutal knife attack.

He leapt from a car where the pair had been arguing about drugs, and jumped over a wall - but plunged 14ft to the ground and fractured his spine.

Stoddart's barrister Tom Mitchell told a judge that in law he has to be held responsible for all of the injuries the man suffered in the incident.

Adjourning the case for background reports to be prepared, Judge Howard Crowson told him: "I will want to know more detail about your earlier offending.

"We need more information about the injuries you've caused, and I would like the Probation Service to make an assessment on you as it will affect sentence."

Stoddart, who also admitted charges of driving without a licence and without insurance on the same day, will be at court for the hearing on February 17.

On Tuesday, he appeared via a live video-link from Holme House Prison in Stockton, and answered only to confirm his name and enter his guilty pleas.

Prosecutor Ian West asked for an adjournment for an up-to-date doctor's report on the victim, and to give him a chance to make an impact statement.

He said: "The complainant in this case, on his own account, has suffered very serious injuries, but there is, as yet, no medical evidence.

"There is potential here for life-changing injuries to the complainant, but I don't know that without medical evidence."

He told Judge Crowson: "If you look at the defendant's history, you will see this is the third time he has inflicted grievous bodily harm upon someone, and the Crown say this is a case in which the dangerous offender provisions are clearly engaged.

"You may want to have that matter professionally assessed by someone at the prison."

Mr Mitchell said the extent of the injuries and their long-term prognosis will help the judge put the offence in the right sentencing bracket.

He added: "Without the medical evidence, it is hard to know where the category properly starts. I concede the other offences might well be relevant."