A MAN stabbed his step-father in the leg after an apparently mundane domestic row turned violent.

Durham Crown Court heard that Cameron Hall’s mother rang police to report the attack, which resulted in a single stab wound to her husband right upper thigh, on Saturday, February 8.

Tony Cornberg, prosecuting, said it followed, “a generally argumentative morning” at the family home, on Cotsford Park Estate, Horden, in east Durham.

Mr Cornberg said the row stemmed from Hall’s use of an Xbox gaming machine and moved onto his living arrangements.

The violence erupted when his stepfather went to inquire about the cause of a bang heard from Hall’s bedroom.

On entering the room he saw the wardrobe damaged and Hall holding a Swiss Army Knife.

Further heated comments followed and Hall jumped up, pushed his step-father against a wall and threatened to kill him.

He brought the knife down onto the man's leg, causing a single puncture wound, which the victim described as feeling like “a punch” to the thigh, causing a ‘dead leg’.

Hall then made slashing motions towards his stepfather’s face, but he broke free and the defendant then ran downstairs.

The victim received hospital treatment, with sutures applied to a 1cm-wide by 15mm-deep wound, which still causes him difficulty sleeping, walking far and climbing stairs.

Hall was arrested and told police the multi-bladed knife, which he received as a present, was discarded on top of the family fridge, from where it was recovered by officers.

He said he had the knife in his hand when he tried to push his step-father away as he was being held in a bear-hug and claimed he was unaware the blade was exposed.

Twenty-year-old Hall has remained in custody since the incident and admitted a charge of unlawful wounding at his first crown court appearance later in February.

Matthew Collins, mitigating, said: “It’s five months since he pleaded ‘guilty’ and he’s spent five-and-a-half months in custody.

“He’s clearly a young man who has felt a great deal of remorse for his actions and knows he must work hard to control his temper.”

Judge Christopher Prince said the public would be better served if Hall’s anger management issues were addressed as part of a community sentence order.

He imposed a two-year order during which Hall will undergo probation supervision, including attending an anger management programme.