A KNIFE maniac has escaped an indefinite jail sentence despite carrying out a robbery only months after being released for stabbing a man in the back and leaving him paralysed.

Judge George Moorhouse yesterday branded 22-year-old Kristofer Davies, from Darlington, a “significant risk to members of the public”.

But he admitted the appropriate prison sentence for Davies’ latest knife offence was 12 months short of the four years required for imprisonment for public protection (IPP). Under the measure, Davies would have had to convince a parole board he was no longer a danger before he could be released from the indefinite sentence.

Last night, Theresa Cave, who runs the North-East branch of Mothers Against Violence, called on the Government to take a tougher stance on knife crime.

“This is an absolute disgrace,”

said Mrs Cave, whose son, Chris, was stabbed to death near his Redcar home in 2003.

“He should have been given a life sentence, especially as it is his third offence involving a knife.

“It is absolutely outrageous that these people are still getting light sentences. How is that a deterrent to young people thinking about carrying a knife?”

Davies was given an eightyear extended sentence in 2005 for leaving Scott Wallace in a wheelchair after an attack in Darlington town centre.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

A year earlier, he had been convicted for possessing a 10in knife, and also for using a knife in offences of actual bodily harm assault and affray.

Davies was released on licence last October but was warned he would serve the remainder of the extended sentence if he reoffended.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said that in February he pulled a lock-knife on a guest at a house party and said: “Give me your f***ing money and phone and everything you’ve got, and get out.”

Terrified 20-year-old Blair Cairns handed over a mobile phone and £20 before fleeing the house in Ridsdale Street, Darlington, to call police.

Davies pleaded guilty to robbery and his barrister, Ian West, yesterday told Teesside Crown Court his client deserved credit for his admissions.

Judge Moorhouse jailed him for three years after he heard that Davies, of Corporation Road, Darlington, would not be released from his licence recall until 2013.

He said: “The problem I have had is to decide whether I can justify a sentence of four years or more because I am satisfied you pose a significant risk,”

The judge said credit for the guilty plea and his age – notwithstanding his previous convictions – brought the sentence below the IPP threshold.

Davies was 16 when he stabbed factory worker Mr Wallace, 28, in the back, shouting he would kill him as he hunted him down.

The court heard how Mr Wallace – who is in a wheelchair after suffering spinal cord damage – had rebuked Davies and other youngsters.

Afterwards, Davies bragged about twisting the knife in Mr Wallace’s back.

At the time, the court heard Davies justified the violence by saying he had a reputation to uphold. During the 2005 case, his barrister said Davies felt remorse and had some insight into his problems and how to behave in the future.