A VAN owner who stabbed a man after his vehicle was damaged walked free from court as a judge said he had been "severely provoked".

Stephen Joy, 43, claimed he had simply gone to remonstrate with the suspected vandal and his own nephew but was attacked last October.

His barrister, Robin Turton, told Teesside Crown Court yesterday: "Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment, he used excessive force."

The court heard how the victim had drunk "a phenomenal amount" of alcohol before the incident in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

He was said to have left a voicemail message for Joy, saying: "I can't wait to stand all over your fat head, you fat piece of s***."

Mr Turton told Judge George Moorhouse: "Mr Joy accepts it was excessive self-defence, but the circumstances are compelling mitigation.

"He has two children and unresolved mental health issues, and at this time was £12,500 in debt - in part due to the vandalism of his cars.

"He had been subjected to a campaign of vandalism upon his van . . . one can imagine the sort of pressure he was under.

"The defendant tried his best to defuse the situation by ringing a mutual friend to go with him. Mr Joy did not want to fight."

Prosecutor Martin Towers told the court that the victim suffered two wounds after being stabbed with a screwdriver.

Joy fled from the scene and is thought to have disposed of the weapon in nearby Osmotherley before being arrested the following day.

Before the stabbing, he angrily told a witness he was going to kill the victim, but Mr Turton said that was "just a figure of speech".

Joy, of Scholla View, Northallerton, admitted unlawful wounding and was given a nine-month suspended prison sentence.

Judge Moorhouse told him: "I am giving you a chance - take advantage of it.

"I accept you were severely provoked. There had been considerable damage done to your van and you had been sent some unpleasant messages.

"You went to remonstrate with this young man and he attacked you. A fight took place and in the course of that fight, you stabbed him twice."

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