Face of man who lit cigarette, slashed stranger in the face with a knife, then went to pub for a beer

This is the face of Shaun Hill, who lit a cigarette, slashed a stranger from behind from the corner of his mouth to his ear, then calmly walked to a nearby pub for a beer. Hill spotted the man waiting for a taxi in Forest Street, Sutton in Ashfield when he decided to attack him on December 6, 2023.

The 33-year-old lit a cigarette, walked close to the man and waited for someone to walk past. When they had gone he grabbed the man from behind and slashed his face several times, before walking away, still smoking the cigarette.

Hill's victim suffered a deep gash from the corner of his mouth to his ear as well as another wound to his jaw. After the random attack, Hill returned to a pub he had been in earlier that evening and when police arrested him he was trying to leave with a glass of beer in his hand.

Police found the knife he'd used and Hill, of Bamford Drive, Mansfield, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a knife in public, which he later pleaded guilty to. On Monday (June 24) Hill was jailed for nine years at Nottingham Crown Court.

Detective Constable Rebecca Pottage, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a horrendous attack, that was seemingly committed completely at random by Hill. The way in which he casually walked up to and away from his victim after doing what he did was truly unsettling to see.

“His decision to target his unsuspecting victim in this appalling manner left the man with devastating injuries and scars to his face that he’ll have to carry forever. This incident sadly shows the life-altering impact those who decide to carry a knife can cause to others, as well as themselves.

“We still don’t know exactly why Hill chose to do what he did that evening, but what is clear is that he is a dangerous man who belongs behind bars. Bearing this in mind, we’re pleased to see Hill has now received a lengthy prison sentence, which we hope will provide some form of comfort to his victim.”