A NIGHTCLUB reveller suffered serious injuries from a single stab wound to the chest.

He collapsed outside the premises and was taken to hospital suffering a haemorrhage caused by the 3ins potato knife.

Durham Crown Court was told he had to be resuscitated and spent five days recovering in hospital.

He subsequently returned to have blood drained from his chest and still suffers chest pain.

The man responsible for the attack, 30-year-old Michael Richardson, of Mulberry Terrace, New Kyo, near Stanley, was jailed for three years after admitting wounding.

It followed a clash between the men in Montgomery's, in Stanley, on January 14.

Steven Orange, prosecuting, said they were asked to leave and the victim said the stabbing took place when Richardson approached him outside.

Paul Gibson, for Richardson, who was using the knife at home earlier in the evening, claimed the other man was the instigator, arguing and gesturing in the club.

Richardson left and made for a taxi rank, but claimed he was followed by the other man, and as he turned he believed he was going to be punched.

Mr Gibson said: "He didn't recall having the knife until that fateful moment.

"He accepts he took the knife out of his back pocket but denies thrusting it at the other man, although he did have it in his hand between them."

Judge Richard Lowden noted Gibson has two previous convictions for possessing offensive weapons and said: "In this instance you could have killed this man."