A druken bus driver stabbed a man who intervened when he swore at children in a shop.

Christopher Willis produced a knife and plunged it into the chest of the young man who merely asked him to calm down as he shouted at youngsters at the late night convenience store.

Durham Crown Court heard the wound was deep and came close to causing lasting damage, but just stopped short of the victim's rib cage.

Willis, 47, who was convicted of unlawful wounding following a trial at Teesside Crown Court in February, was today jailed for three years.

The court heard that Willis, of Crimdon Close, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, denied the offence at the trial, claiming self defence.

Returning for sentence at Durham yesterday, the court was told many of his recent problems stemmed from heavy drinking, and he lost his job after being banned from motoring for five years for two drink drive convictions.

The incident, itself, took place at Bell's Stores' Darlington Road-branch in Norton, near Stockton, at around 9pm last June 29.

Passing sentence, Recorder John Muir told the court: "For some reason which can't be logically explained you spoke to these young boys in the shop in a forceful way, using bad language.

"This young man, who was unacquainted to you, had gone to the shop with his girlfriend and, observing your conduct, told you to desist.

"There was no reason to carry on and what you did at the time was inexplicable, but was very dangerous.

"You plunged that knife in him. You did not know him and he had done nothing against you.

"The wound was fairly deep and extended as far as the ribs.

"Using a knife in a public place under the influence of drink is an activity of such a nature that an immediate custodial sentence is inevitable."

Graham Baker, mitigating, said it was a single blow, and Willis immediately left the scene.

He added that on his arrest Wills expressed remorse to the police.