A TALENTED footballer “ruined his life” by turning to gang culture and slashing a rival across the face with a machete.

Alongside a drug dealer, Dylan Awulonu, 19, travelled to a customer’s home in Colchester to act as protection.

Ipswich Crown Court heard there was “bad blood” between Awulonu and the man the pair were going to meet.

After Awulonu got out of a taxi at the customer’s address, a confrontation followed.

He produced a machete from his trousers, described in court as a “big, vicious weapon”, before slashing his victim across the face.

Judge Emma Peters said: “The force of the blow was such as to fracture one of the bones in his face.”

Following the attack, the victim needed 185 stitches and a metal plate was inserted in his face.

The court heard Awulonu, then aged 18, had only recently moved to Colchester from Dublin, and had no previous convictions.

A talented footballer, he had been selected for a scholarship in America, but instead became immersed in “gang culture and drug culture”.

The court heard he had produced a ‘Drill’ music video, in which he espoused drug culture and knife violence.

Charles Conway, mitigating, said the video was nothing more than “showing off ”.

Awulonu, of Avon Way, Colchester, denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a blade, but was convicted following a trial.

The court heard when the victim gave evidence, the lasting effects of the injury were clear.

The attack left a long scar, and he struggles with dribbling due to the nerve damage in his face.

Judge Peters said: “He says even respective employers look at him and think he might be trouble.

“He finds when he goes out he is looked at and people make assumptions because of his scar.”

Judge Peters said Awulonu’s age and lack of previous convictions led her away from imposing an extending sentence.

She said: “This was an impulsive act motivated by bravado to achieve status and reputation.”

She said only a lengthy spell behind bars would do, in order to drive home the importance of tackling the “chaos” of knife crime.

Jailing Awulonu for 12 years, she said: “It is such a waste of good talent. There was so much ahead of you which could have been good.”