A burglar who used a screwdriver to stab a homeowner after being caught in his house has had his jail sentence reduced.

Lee Warren Stone, 38, of Hamble Court, Sompting, was jailed for nine years at Chichester Crown Court last May after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary.

But the Criminal Appeal Court in London yesterday cut his term to six years after deciding the sentence was too long.

Mr Justice Jackson said the offence was aggravated by the force used, the threat made and the injuries suffered by Brian Williams at his Sompting home in February last year.

But he decided Stone did not receive the appropriate credit for his guilty plea, which had been entered at a relatively early stage.

Mr Williams went to investigate noises in the early hours of the morning and grabbed Stone who said he would stab him.

Mr Williams immediately felt a pain in his chin. He also suffered bruising.