THIS is the man police captured after an armed showdown - now he faces jail.

Michael Fowell was told to prepare for life behind bars after he was convicted of a vicious stabbing at Warrington Crown Court on Friday.

But the 26-year-old was only arrested when armed police surrounded his home on Kingsway North, Latchford, in a dramatic two-hour stakeout on September 13.

Following a four day trial, Fowell was found guilty of GBH with intent after he used an s' shaped martial arts knife to slash Ian Palmer's face in the Highwayman public house, Manchester Road, Woolston.

Fowell then fled and went on the run.

Prosecuting, Miles Wilson said: "This was a shocking incident that left a man bleeding all over the floor.

"We have heard about the downward motion of the knife going into Ian Palmer's cheek.

"Mr Palmer may be 6ft 5ins but he is not immune. Would he really take on a man with a knife?"

In court, Fowell admitted knifing pub goer Mr Palmer but claimed he had not realised the weapon was in his grasp when he lashed out.

Cross examining, Mr Wilson said: "Didn't you feel it in your hand when the knife struck?

"Didn't you see the blood that was gushing out of his face?

"The truth is you knew full well you had the knife; you lost control."

It was revealed in court that the victim still bears scars on his neck, chest and face where doctors stitched the wounds.

Defending, Kenneth Hinds claimed Fowell had acted in self-defence and argued the victim's injuries were superficial'.

But at the time of the attack detectives feared Mr Palmer would be scarred for life.

The court heard the ordeal unfolded when Fowell went looking for his missing bulldog, Bronson, and became convinced Mr Palmer and his friends were to blame.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm at an earlier hearing.

Fowell will be sentenced on June 29 at Warrington Crown Court.

beckykelly@guardiangrp.co.uk