A MAN who repeatedly stabbed a neighbour in an early hours doorstep confrontation has been jailed for five years.

Stephen Renwick, 40, called at the home of a 38-year-old neighbour in Dorset Crescent, Moorside, Consett, County Durham, early on September 27 last year.

Having given the victim no indication of what was about to happen, Renwick produced a knife from his pocket as soon as the door opened, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Renwick lunged forward and the victim "felt a dull blow" to his left upper arm.

Peter Schofield, prosecuting, said that although the householder armed himself with a crowbar and struck out to defend himself, that only sent Renwick "berserk".

He lashed out and the struggle spilled outside, with both men falling over the garden fence into a neighbouring property.

The incident ended with Renwick telling the victim: "There, you've had your bit punishment." Then he left.

Mr Schofield said the victim staggered to a friend's house and an ambulance was called.

He was treated in hospital for seven stab wounds, one of which punctured his left lung, causing a partial collapse. The court heard that Renwick was also treated, receiving six stitches for a head wound inflicted by the crowbar.

Renwick was arrested and told police he had drunk nine double Bacardi and Cokes before going to his girlfriend's home and having a disagreement.

The victim denied being a supplier of drugs.

Renwick, of Dorset Crescent, denied wounding with intent, but was found guilty by a unanimous verdict at Durham Crown Court in February. Recorder Ian Thorp adjourned sentence pending reports on Renwick by the probation service, but warned him to expect a prison sentence.

When Renwick returned for sentence at Newcastle Crown Court, Mr Thorp said no other outcome could be justified, given the severity of the wounds inflicted.