The victim of a horrific meat cleaver attack has said he is looking forward to watching his attacker put behind bars.

Matthew Jeeves, 25, was left fighting for his life after two thugs, Barry Hughes and Jack Smith, both of Morden, bludgeoned him with a meat cleaver as he walked home through Cheam after New Year's Eve party in 2008.

Last week Smith pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at the last minute at Croydon Crown Court - a minor atonement which meant his victim did not have to face him to give evidence.

Smith will face jail when sentenced on October 25. His accomplice Barry Hughes was sent down for 13 years in January 2012.

Mr Jeeves said it was a relief to not have to face the man who nearly killed him for a mobile phone and some change.

He said: "They deserve everything they get.

"They did something absolutely horrible to me which ruined my life for a while.

"It took me a long time to get back to normal, but I realised I had to get on with my life. I can't ever forgive them."

Mr Jeeves, who has since moved to Gatwick after qualifying as an electrician and a plumber, says the six inch scar across his face means he will always have a reminder of the brutal and savage attack.

He said: "When I meet new people, I can't help wondering what they are thinking when I see them look at the scar. I think I will have to tell the story forever."

The cut across his face was deep enough to omit a finger after the attack, and just missed his eye. He had six wounds to his scalp ranging from two to six inches in length, one of which pierced through his skull.

He said: "I'm just glad they are off the streets and can't attack anyone else and make them and go through the same horror that I went through.

"Smith has re offended again and again even since he attacked me, I'm glad he's going to prison.

"It's really good news the police have caught them, they never gave up and I want to thank them for that."