A knifeman who stabbed his victim 26 times after he beat him in an arm wrestling match was jailed for life yesterday.

Alan Jones, 37, known as Bally, got the better of Wayne Gates during an arm wrestling contest in Hogans bar, Sunderland, on April 19 last year

Newcastle Crown Court was told how after being overpowered, Gates made provocative remarks and was asked to step outside by Mr Jones.

But Christopher Knox, prosecuting, told the court how instead of the anticipated "fistycuffs", Gates sunk a blade into his victim in what prosecutors describe as a frenzied attack.

Mr Jones had knife wounds reaching from his ear to his abdomen, 19 of which were to his chest.

The attack was captured on closed-circuit television cameras outside the pub and jurors were shown the footage of Gates - who fled abroad after the attack - launching the deadly blows.

Gates, of Cato Street, Sunderland, had denied murder during a week-long trial, but was found guilty after three hours' deliberation by a jury.

Judge David Hodson said he must serve at least 16 years before being eligible to apply for parole.