A DARWEN man who ‘stabbed and sliced’ a man over a debt has been jailed for more than two years.

Joseph Doherty had called round to the sheltered accommodation to collect the money owed when a row broke out.

Police were already at the Birch Hall apartments, having been called by a staff member, before the knife attack on Andrew Knagg took place.

Doherty, who had been drinking and sniffing ligh-ter fuel, was found standing over Mr Knagg and with a knife in his hand.

Doherty, 25, formerly of Ivinson Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and two common assaults on police who went to arrest him.

He was jailed for two years and 12 weeks by a judge at Preston Crown Court.

A five-year restraining order was also imposed, barring him from contacting Mr Knagg or going within 200 metres of his address.

Doherty was an acquain-tance of Mr Knagg, whom the prosecution described as ‘vulnerable’.

Sylvia Dacre, prosecuting, said that on April 6, Doherty went to the apartments, seeking the return of a loan of money he had given to Mr Knagg.

The supervisor called the police. An argument broke out after they had arrived.

The defendant allegedly told him, “Give me some money or I'll knife you.” Mr Knagg then spoke of being sliced on the neck with a fisherman’s-type knife.

He said he was sliced again to the side of the left cheek by Doherty who told him, “Give me £20 or I'll stab you proper next time.”

The defendant punched two officers who went to arrest him and had to be restrained with the use of pava spray.

Mr Knagg was treated in hospital.

Doherty had previous convictions for violence and in 2008 was given 18 months jail for an assault.

Gareth Jones, defending, said it was fortunate that the injuries were not more serious.

In passing sentence, Judge Anthony Russell QC told Doherty: “You sliced at his neck and there was also a stab wound.

“You compounded your crime by becoming violent with the police who went to arrest you.”