A MAN who launched a savage knife attack which inflicted severe internal injuries on his victim has been jailed for eight years.

David Bain, 25, stabbed father-of-three Kevin Lister, 35, four times after spraying him in the face with CS gas.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Mr Lister had bumped into Bain, his sister's boyfriend, in the street last July 12, after a series of family disputes.

The attack happened as Mr Lister was making his way to his sister's house, from his home in Wardley.

One of the wounds narrowly missed Mr Lister's heart and another 10cm gash left a gaping wound in his stomach.

Christopher Prince, prosecuting, told the court: "All Mr Lister recalls is being sprayed in the face with CS gas, walking back and looking down at his stomach, which was cut wide open.

"He thought he was going to die and asked the defendant to finish him off."

Mr Prince added: "On arrival at the hospital. Mr Lister asked if he was going to survive and he received an honest answer - he was told he may not survive the operation. He accepted general anaesthetic in the knowledge he may never regain consciousness."

Mr Lister made a good physical recovery but has been left traumatised by the attack.

The court heard that now he has trouble sleeping, suffers nightmares and is afraid to leave the house.

Brian Mark, defending, said Bain had "snapped".

He said: "He was a thoroughly respectable man who behaved in a thoroughly savage way that night.

"He is shocked at himself. He is appalled at how he behaved."

Bain, of Beechway, Leam Lane, Gateshead, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to wounding with intent