A CHANCE meeting in a village shop led to a row which resulted in a man being stabbed, a court was told.

David Gary Ryan, who “recklessly” brandished the lock knife used to inflict the single stab wound, was given a 12-month prison sentence.

The 21-year-old, of Spa Road, Gainford, near Darlington, previously admitted possessing a bladed article in public and unlawful wounding.

Durham Crown Court heard the incident arose when Ryan and a friend, who had been hunting with ferrets, crossed paths with the 40-year-old victim in a convenience store in Main Road, Gainford, at 6.30pm on August 16, last year.

Ian Mullarkey, prosecuting, said the other man had been drinking that afternoon in the Cross Keys pub, in the village, and went to the shop to use a cash machine.

Mr Mullarkey said the conversation got round the whether or not they could cross a piece of land, or if it was a public footpath.

Another customer described the altercation and overheard someone saying: “Do you want to sort this out now?”

Mr Mullarkey said that was followed by the words: “Have this, you!”

The stabbed man staggered back to the pub, where police and medical assistance were summoned.

He was taken to hospital for treatment for a 3cm laceration to the left chest wall, which was treated with stitches.

Mr Mullarkey said there was no evidence of penetrating injuries to the chest or cavity, although there was some intercostal muscle damage.

The court heard that apart from the injuries, the incident has had an adverse effect on the victim’s confidence going out in public.

A description given to police led officers to speak to Ryan.

His immediate response was: “I didn’t mean to do it”, suggesting the other man almost walked onto the knife.

He told police the knife was in a car parked behind the property and said the officers would find a second in a rear shed.

The court heard at the hearing on Tuesday that Ryan has a number of convictions, but none previously for violence.

Andrew Morris, mitigating, said none of his previous offending resulted in a crown court appearance or a custodial sentence.

Mr Morris said Ryan still had the knife with him, in his pocket, when he went to the shop after returning from going ferreting.

He described the offence as the result of, “bad decision making”.

Mr Morris said it was, “a spur of the moment” action when the chance meeting resulted “a heated exchange” over use of someone’s field.

Jailing him, Judge Christopher Prince told Ryan: “It’s always serious when someone takes out a knife and causes injury in a public place.”

He also put in place a restraining order forbidding Ryan from making contact with the victim, “until further notice”.