A MAN responded to trouble “coming to his door” in the early hours by arming himself with a knife and using it to inflict four stab wounds on his victim.

Durham Crown Court heard the clash followed an exchange of threatening messages between Craig Ward and a former acquaintance in a dispute about a sum of money said to be owed.

Christine Egerton, prosecuting, said the other man travelled to Stanley with two friends, reaching the house where Ward was staying, in Holly Hill Gardens, at 4am.

Ward emerged bare-chested and rounded a corner to be greeted by the other three men, who threw rocks at him.

Miss Egerton said he dashed back to the house and grabbed a long-bladed kitchen knife with which he confronted the other man, whose two friends ran off.

Neighbours looked out to see Ward with the knife grabbing the other man and using it to inflict stab wounds.

As onlookers rang 999, Ward fled the scene, discarding the knife in a drain.

Police and ambulance officers arrived and went to the aid of the victim, who was taken to hospital for treatment for the stab wounds, to his right elbow and thigh, back and chest.

He initially refused to name his assailant, but he later identified him.

A scan showed no abnormalities and his injuries were said to be “superficial”.

The victim stated that he thought he was going to be killed and has since moved from the area.

Police recovered the knife handle, minus the blade, from a drain, but Ward was at large for four days before being seen, chased and caught.

Miss Egerton said after his arrest he told officers he, “enjoyed it”, adding: “I did what I had to do. I plunged him and I made him beg.”

The 32-year-old defendant, of Memorial Homes, Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, admitted unlawful wounding and possessing a knife in public.

Miss Egerton said his previous convictions include both violence and weapons offences.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said: “There was never an intention here to cause serious harm. He acted as he did to get the complainant and friends away from the area.

“The reality is there was a dispute between friends which escalated and there were unpleasant exchanges that were uttered by both parties.

He was visited, “mob-handed”, at 4am and he came out and, under considerable duress”, confronted the complainant and his two friends.

The court was told that while in custody since the incident he has worked well with agencies to address his previous drug addiction.

Allowing 25-per cent discount on a 16-month jail term, because of his guilty pleas, Recorder Maria Karaiskos imposed a one-year prison sentence on Ward.

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