A MAN who stabbed a bar boss during a fight outside his pub has been jailed for more than four years.

Steven Downing was told he was a danger to the public and would serve a further two years on licence following his release from prison.

The 26-year-old has previous convictions for violence - in 2000 for punching a man and biting his arm, and in 2004 for wounding a man and setting his rottweiler on him.

A court heard yesterday that Downing often armed himself with a knife or an axe for safety after becoming the victim of a serious assault himself some years ago.

Teesside Crown Court was told he resorted to alcohol and drugs when he was in fear, which, in turn, left him paranoid and believing he needed to be armed for protection.

Judge Anthony Briggs told Downing he was satisfied he posed a serious risk of committing further offences and added the two-year extension to the three years.

Downing was ordered to serve an additional 514 days in custody from the previous sentence, after being freed early on licence and breaking the conditions of his release.

Downing, of Chippenham Road, Middlesbrough, was convicted after a five-day trial in February of possessing an offensive weapon and causing grievous bodily harm to Michael Bone.

Judge Briggs said: "Your mental state is obviously of importance and I do accept certain aspects of that may be not in your control and you were not to blame for the serious assault you were subjected to some time ago.

"However, it doesn't provide any confidence to members of the public that, in that state, you carry weapons and if there is a slight or perceived danger, you are prepared to use them."

Prosecutor Ian West told the court that Downing asked Mr Bone outside for a fight after a disagreement inside The Grove pub, on the Easterside estate, Middlesbrough, on October 16 last year.

Mr Bone was stabbed six times in the side and back during the fight, which happened six weeks after Downing had been released from a three-year sentence. He had been in jail for causing grievous bodily harm and having a dog dangerously out of control.

Peter Walsh, defending, said Downing suffered a disfigurement to his ear when he was attacked years earlier and had not been involved in violence until then.

"He does appear to have motivation to change and an insight into the fact that he does have problems," added Mr Walsh.