A thug who politely asked to borrow a knife used to cut a birthday cake at a party and then slit a man’s throat has been locked up indefinitely with no hope of release for at least 14 years.

Sean McLaren had calmly walked up to Gillian Ballard after she used the knife for her 60th birthday cake and carried out what a judge said was "akin to a public execution" in front of shocked guests.

Victim Brett Banks narrowly escaped death as the blade just missed his jugular vein. McLaren, of James Road, Cuxton, was to boast to police: "I am proud of what I did. I am gutted I didn’t kill him."

Judge James O’Mahony told the 37-year-old: "I cannot conclude this was, drink or no drink, not a deliberate and coolly executed attempted murder in public in a deliberately shocking, cruel manner verging on a sadistic act."

Maidstone Crown Court heard that the horrific incident happened on March 1 at the Rochester Queen floating restaurant, moored on the River Medway at Cuxton.

Philip St John-Stevens, prosecuting, said McLaren had asked "in a friendly manner" if he could borrow the knife used to cut the cake.

Without saying a word, he casually walked up to father-of-two Mr Banks, pulled back his head and drew the blade across his neck.

Known as Starkie, McLaren, of Cuxton, admitted attempted murder.