A stabbing victim was taken to hospital with a kitchen knife buried five inches into his stomach, a court was told yesterday when his attacker was jailed for three years.

Andrew Bell,24, thought he had been punched in the stomach in a street in Darlington. But his father who was sitting in his car nearby saw him being stabbed.

The kitchen knife with a five and a half inch blade was stuck in his stomach almost up to the handle, and he was taken to hospital where it was removed by surgeons. The blade had perforated his small bowel and he was kept in hospital four days, said prosecutor Christopher Williamson.

His attacker Michael Coates,21, had accused him of taking his girlfriend's mobile phone, Teesside Crown Court was told.

It happened outside a house where a group had been drinking and taking cocaine.

Mr Bell had not taken the phone and he offered to call up the number to see if it was still in the house.

Coates had been involved in a violent row with his girlfriend about the phone, and he suddenly lunged at Mr Bell.

Mr Williamson said:"He had been stabbed in the stomach although he did not realise it.

"His father who was sitting in his car nearby saw Coates lunge at him with a knife. As Coates walked off he said to the father 'I'll have you too'.

"The knife with a five and a half inch blade was stuck in his stomach almost up to the handle. He was taken to hospital to have the knife removed through surgery."

Mr Bell's girlfriend said she thought that the knife had come from her kitchen.

Dan Cordey, defending, said that Coates had been using crack cocaine, and he realised that he had to turn his life around.

Coates claimed he took the knife for protection and he only intended to scare Mr Bell if it became necessary.

Coates of Alwyn Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to causing him grievous bodily harm with intent on 11 January.