A man who suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of a revenge attack featured in a BBC documentary looking at knife crime in the North East.

The victim needed life-saving treatment after suffering six stab wounds when he was violently attacked by three men who turned up at his door carrying weapons.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Josh White plunged a knife into the man after he was knocked to the ground outside his Thornaby home in January last year.

Read more: Brutal revenge attack carried out by three Thornaby men

The documentary told how the victim's wounds had left a lasting impact on him.

White had been recruited by Keaton Gibson after he lost an earlier fight with the victim and was seeking retribution.

A third man, Connor Smith, also turned up at the man's home armed with a screwdriver.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Mick Matthews of Cleveland Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team said: “The victim in this attack was left with life changing injuries to his vital organs. He has been scarred for life both physically and mentally, suffering the deep psychological effects of the reality of knife crime.

“Those who carry weapons such as knives know the misery and pain they can cause to their victim and the surrounding community.

“Cleveland Police will continue to do all that it can to rid the streets of Teesside of weapons, targeting those carrying knives to prevent such violent and abhorrent attacks.”

White, 22, of Mead Crescent, Thornaby, was sentenced to eight years and six months for wounding with intent, along with a two-year concurrent sentence for possession of a knife after pleading guilty to both.

Gibson, 21, of, Langley Avenue, Thornaby, was sentenced to three years for unlawful wounding and given an 18-month concurrent sentence for possession of a knife after pleading guilty to both.

Smith, 23, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of unlawful wounding and sentenced to three years, with a one-year concurrent sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a bladed article.

The Northern Echo: Keaton Gibson, left, Josh White, centre, and Connor Smith, right, have been jailed for a revenge attack using a hatchet, screwdriver and knifeKeaton Gibson, left, Josh White, centre, and Connor Smith, right, have been jailed for a revenge attack using a hatchet, screwdriver and knife (Image: Cleveland Police)

As well as the stabbing, the documentary focussed on force's efforts to tackle the growing problem of knife crime.

In November, its newly established Force Proactive Team began targeted patrols under Operation Deterrent, concentrating on areas highlighted as hotspots for violent crime.

The patrols focus directly on areas where incidents of violence have been reported and where intelligence suggests a presence is needed.

The force also took part in Operation Sceptre, the national week of action to tackle knife crime, and its arrest rate during that week was the second highest in the country, with 348 arrests.

And the knife amnesty saw 245 knives surrendered following an engagement and education programme through schools, colleges and on social media aimed at changing the culture of carrying knives on Teesside.

Read next:

The Northern Echo: Chief Superintendent John Bent, Cleveland Police’s Head of CrimeChief Superintendent John Bent, Cleveland Police’s Head of Crime (Image: Cleveland Police)

Chief Superintendent John Bent, Cleveland Police’s Head of Crime, said: “Teesside has high levels of serious violence, and knife crime is a significant factor in this.

“As well as police enforcement activity we are working closely with colleagues from the Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV) and other key stakeholders, including the voluntary sector, to reduce knife crime in the region.

“The force is particularly keen to engage with young people with an educational and diversionary approach as part of this work, and there are plans to develop this further in 2023.”