A TEENAGER who stabbed a man in the back as he lay helpless on the ground has been warned he is facing jail.

Raymond Armour was attacked when he went to a house in Charles Street, Boldon Colliery, after a brick was thrown through a window into his living room in the early hours of January 2.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Mr Armour, of nearby Reginald Street, thought someone at the Charles Street property was responsible for the attack on his premises as there had been some earlier trouble during New Year celebrations at his home.

But when Mr Armour got to the door, he found himself outnumbered and was knocked to the floor.

As he lay on the ground, 18-year-old Leslie Whinn, also known as Leslie Lawlor, stabbed him in the back with a kitchen knife.

The blade punctured Mr Armour's chest wall and collapsed his lung.

Mr Armour spent five days in hospital, but made a good recovery after treatment, which included a blood transfusion.

Whinn was arrested and told police Mr Armour had been armed when he came to the door.

When asked by officers what was going through his mind when he stabbed Mr Armour, Whinn replied: "I didn't know what I was doing, I just lost it."

Whinn, of Charles Street, Boldon, accepted he stabbed Mr Armour, but he denied wounding with intent.

He was found guilty by a jury after less than two hours' deliberation.

After the verdict, defence barrister Peter Schofield told the court Whinn had previous convictions, but he has never been sent to prison before.

Mr Schofield asked for Whinn to be allowed to remain on bail until he is sentenced on September 9, but Judge Tim Hewitt remanded him in custody.