THE untimely death of Blackburn father-of-two Tarro 'Taz' Grogan highlights the true dangers of carrying knives, a senior judge has warned.

Double knife-wielding Dylan Mark Slater, 27, was jailed for eight years and three months after admitting to causing the manslaughter of Mr Grogan.

Mr Grogan, 29, was stabbed four times and suffered a number of defensive wounds after being stabbed with two knives at a house in Peridot Close, Blackburn, on October 14.

Preston Crown Court heard how Slater and Mr Grogan had initially engaged in a play fight which had turned nasty. When Slater pulled a flip knife on Mr Grogan, the victim picked up a knife of his own, at which point the defendant armed himself with a second larger knife.

READ > Killer of Blackburn's Tarro 'Taz' Grogan jailed for eight years

In his sentencing remarks Judge Mark Brown, The Recorder of Preston, said the case was another tragic example of the 'spiralling nature of violence that knife crime creates'.

Judge Brown said: "You took a knife to the scene and admittedly before the fatal assault armed yourself with a second larger knife.

“Tragically this case is yet another example of the devastating consequences of knife crime and it highlights the spiralling nature of violence that knife crime creates and whatever the background or circumstances it can never be justified.

"There was a history of animosity with Mr Grogan involving an emotional and sexual rivalry. You were both affected by this. You were play fighting and after you got the better of him, the situation escalated into something more serious. This was predictable given the feeling of ill will. After he wanted a real fight you armed yourself with a second knife.

"Mr Grogan was still a young man who had most of his life ahead of him and certainly didn't deserve to die."

His comments come in the wake of a number of high-profile incidents nationally involving knife crime, which has seen the Government promise police an extra £100 million to tackle the issue.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo said: “This was a tragic incident which resulted in one young man losing his life and another facing the consequences of his actions.

“This case shows with all too sad a clarity the devastating consequences which can result from using and carrying a knife.”