A MAN lashed out with a kitchen knife, injuring two friends sleeping at his sister's home, a court heard.

Michael John Weatherburn was jailed for three years.

Durham Crown Court was told one of his victims may be permanently scarred after being slashed across the face, while another man was cut on his right hand while fending off the knife.

The incident took place in May, when 27-year-old Weatherburn was staying at his sister's home, in Front Street, Sacriston, County Durham.

Paul Currer, prosecuting, said his sister's boyfriend and a friend of his, both 32, were also staying at the house.

Mr Currer said they had enjoyed a good evening, but after they had gone to sleep, one of the men woke to find Weatherburn astride him in the lounge holding a kitchen knife to his neck.

There was a struggle and one of the men managed to wrestle the knife from Weatherburn's grasp.

Stephen Rich, mitigating, said the trigger for the incident was the large amount drunk by everyone.

Weatherburn, of Cleveland Terrace, South Stanley, admitted two charges of wounding.