A MAN who armed himself with a knife “for protection” ended up lashing out at a village rival with it, inflicting a single stab wound.

Sean Oliver, 21, who caused a 1.5cm incision under the victim’s arm-pit, causing a major blood loss, was jailed for two years on Friday.

The incident took place in broad daylight, near Oliver’s home, in Esh Winning, County Durham, when he crossed paths with the other man, on Sunday January 4.

Durham Crown Court was told the victim was viewing a car outside a friend’s home as Oliver passed on the other side of the street, in Redwood.

Words were exchanged and Oliver produced the knife, waving it around.

As the victim stepped towards him, Oliver inflicted the blow, which led to the loss of between three and four litres of blood.

Paul Reid, prosecuting, read from the impact statement of the victim, in which he stated: “I feel lucky to be alive, as it’s not as bad as it could have been.

“When I was standing in my house with blood everywhere, it was fortunate.

“You hear about people being stabbed and not being so lucky.”

Mr Reid said the injury appears to have healed, but as he considers himself, “a family man”, with a partner and children, the victim is now considering moving from Esh Winning.

Oliver denied wounding with intent, and was cleared after a trial at the court, last month, but he admitted the slightly lesser charge of unlawful wounding, plus possessing a knife in public.

Christopher McKie, mitigating, told the court: “The offence itself must be viewed with a wider context, one of general discord between the parties involved.

“He’s been remanded in custody since January 6 and had a great deal of time to reflect on what happened.

“He knows how foolish it was to have armed himself with a knife, and accepts a custodial sentence is inevitable.

“It’s clear there have been substance misuse issues, but they have been addressed, so far, during his time in custody.”

Jailing him, Judge Simon Hickey told Oliver: “Much more senior judges than me have said time and again that there must be deterrent sentences for people carrying knives.

“The consequences can be dire.

“Fortunately for him, and for you, in this case he has made a full recovery.

“But he is fearful for his future in the village. I appreciate it’s a small village and there may be tensions.”

The judge also imposed a three-year restraining order forbidding Oliver from contacting or trying to contact the victim.