by Julia Roberts

A thug who slashed a teenage boy's back during a brawl has been told he now faces a "severe" sentence.

Max Sparks, 24, had denied wounding 18-year-old Thomas Gabriel with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm but was convicted by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.

They reached their 10-2 majority verdict after just under four hours.

During the three-day trial the court was told Mr Gabriel suffered a 7cm-long and 2cm-deep gash to his back.

He and Sparks, of Manor Road, Southborough, had started fighting after Sparks insulted one of Mr Gabriel's female friends during a night out in Tunbridge Wells in July 2009.

At first, the teenager was unaware he had been stabbed and thought he had just been winded by a blow.

But when his friend spotted blood, Mr Gabriel took off his T-shirt and saw another wound to his upper chest.

He also had other cuts to his abdomen and right ear.

Remanding Sparks in custody for the preparation of reports, Judge Michael Carroll said he had been convicted on "overwhelming" circumstantial evidence.

"There comes a time when he has to accept his guilt and liability for a severe sentence," added the judge.

Sparks will be sentenced on September 1.