A YOUTH with a long record for violence and carrying knives has been warned to expect a custodial sentence after being found guilty of slashing an ice-cream man with a flick knife.

Jermaine Mattan, 18, of King Street, Southall, was yesterday convicted of actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon after attacking Andrew Fernandes when he was refused a free ice cream.

Prosecutor Sarah Porter told Isleworth Crown Court Mattan caused only a small wound just below Andrew Fernandes' chest "more by luck than judgement".

She said: "Mr Fernandes moved quickly out of the way when he saw the knife in the defendant's hand."

However, he did take note of Mattan's appearance and was able to point him out to the police about 20 minutes later.

In court, the teenager denied having an offensive weapon and causing actual bodily harm to Mr Fernandes, who has been selling ice cream in the Saxon Road area for more than eight years.

The incident happened on July 4 when Mattan claimed he was at home with his aunt, who confirmed his alibi, although the jury did not believe them and found Mattan guilty on both charges.

He was remanded in custody for pre-sentence reports and warned to expect a custodial sentence when he appears at the court in November.

Ms Porter told the court he had a criminal record going back to 2002 which included 11 previous convictions. One was for having a machete in Saxon Road last year, another was for having a knife in nearby Jasmine Close and he had a public order offence for "waving a sword around in the street and slitting a van's tyres with it".

Remanding him, Judge Hezlett Colgan said: "These offences are escalating in seriousness. You have been found guilty on the clearest possible evidence and this court takes a serious view.

"You must prepare yourself for a custodial sentence when you return to court".