A JEALOUS lover who slashed his rival’s face with a carving knife has been locked up.

Calvin Souch attacked 31-year-old Carl Suter in the public toilets in Cowley Road after he had spent a night at his former girlfriend Faye Noonan’s house.

Mr Suter was on his way to pick up his methadone prescription when Souch attacked him with a 10-inch knife at about 8am on October 9 last year.

He was left with three scars. Souch, of Divinity Road, was arrested two days later.

Tim Horgan, prosecuting, said: “Faye was jumping between the two of them it seemed, depending on which one was in custody at the time.”

In the hours before the knife attack Souch sent Miss Noonan a text message saying: “I hope you had a good night with him. It is the only one you will have. You have gone too far.”

Mr Horgan said: “He grabbed Mr Suter, held him towards him and slashed his face. He also made a number of attempts to stab him in the stomach.”

Souch was also guilty of criminal damage after he kicked the door to Miss Noonan’s home in Divinity Road the day before the attack.

The 39-year-old has 35 five convictions for 99 offences, including assaulting a police officer and burglary, Oxford Crown Court heard.

He spent his life in care until he was 16 when he committed his first offence and has since spent at least 12 years in prison.

Peter Du Feu, defending, said Souch was “thoroughly institutionalised”.

He said: “It is a pattern of criminality and drug abuse for well over 20 years.

“He had got to the point in his life where it mattered little to him whether he was on the street, in a hostel or back in prison.

“The defendant has let himself down dreadfully.”

Recorder Nicholas Cole sentenced Souch to a minimum of four years in prison on Wednesday.

He said: “I am satisfied that you are somebody that resorts readily to the use of violence when you become angry. You also have a history of arming yourself.”

A jury found Souch guilty of wounding with intent on July 6.

Having been in prison since he was arrested he now has three years and 54 days left in prison before he can apply to the parole board.