A former British Army soldier has been jailed over a knife attack that left a tourist fighting for his life in a Reading nightclub.

Tharel Thompson, 29, had been visiting the UK from Barbados when he become involved in a dispute with two other young men - Krisma Anthony and Jahlil Charles, both 23 - in the corridor of Walkabout in Friar Street on February 11. 

A CCTV video shown in the trial at Reading Crown Court captured the moment when the dispute turned into a bloody attack, with Anthony admitting that he had stabbed Mr Thompson in the side of the head. 

The attack unleashed 'a fountain of blood' according to one witness, and Mr Thompson was left with life-changing injuries akin to suffering a major stroke. 

Now, a jury at Reading Crown Court has found Anthony, from St Lucia, guilty of attempted murder, and Judge Heather Norton has sentenced him to 27 years in prison.

He had previously pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and carrying a knife. 

Anthony's co-defendant - construction worker Jahlil Charles, of no fixed abode and originally from St Lucia - was charged with attempted murder and possessing a knife. He has been acquitted on both charges. 

During the trial, prosecutor Mr Jonathan Stone said Anthony had made a 'cold-blooded attempt' to kill Mr Thompson. 

Anthony responded: "I only stabbed him once. It was unjust. I'm very sorry for what I have done to Mr Thompson - but I had no intention of killing him."

The former soldier ran his hands over his face as his guilty verdict was read-out - a verdict that seemed 'fair', according to Tharel's mother. 

Yvonne Thompson, speaking exclusively to The Reading Chronicle after the trial, said she was 'happy' with the conviction. 

Tharel now needs round-the-clock care, according to Yvonne, who said she has to dress and bathe her son. 

Recalling hearing that her son had been seriously wounded, she said: "I now know what the saying 'your life can change in a split second' means.

"The flight (to the UK) was the longest eight hours of my life.

"I will never forget seeing how swollen his head was." 

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Nick Hind, of the Major Crime Unit, said Anthony had carried out 'a vicious, needless, and apparently unprovoked attack'.

The detective inspector said: “He left Mr Thompson for dead in the corridor of the nightclub before making good his escape.

“Mr Thompson sustained very severe injuries, and it is nothing short of a miracle that he did not die as a result of this attack."

The 29-year-old was rushed to Royal Berkshire Hospital on the night of the attack, and then received further emergency care at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. 

Yvonne said: "I would like to say thank you to the doctors and nurses, (Tharel's) friends and family, and the community for assisting us while we have been here and supporting us through this ordeal."