A PUB landlord who left a man with brain damage after stabbing him in the chest has been jailed for 13-and-a-half years.

Wellington Hotel licensee Jonathan Wrigley was found guilty of wounding Jamie Mulcahy with a butterfly knife during a street fight in Bacup.

He then hatched a plot to wipe CCTV footage of the incident, a court heard.

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The 34-year-old, of Todmorden Road, was yesterday cleared of attempted murder but convicted of the wounding charge, and of perverting the course of justice.

His cousin Curtis Munro, 21, of Queen’s Road, Heywood, had earlier admitted perverting the course of justice and was jailed for 16 months.

Preston Crown Court heard Wrigley and Munro wiped camera footage after a mass brawl on Yorkshire Street in the town centre, in the early hours of Saturday, November 22 last year.

It was during the melee Wrigley plunged the knife into Mr Mulcahy’s chest, puncturing both his lungs.

After initially walking away, Wrigley’s victim collapsed after his heart stopped, causing irreversible brain damage. He remains in a serious condition, needs round-the-clock care and will never make a full recovery.

Detective Inspector Pete Danby, who led the investigation, said: “Jonathan Wrigley is clearly a violent and controlling individual whose actions have destroyed the lives of both a young man and his family.

“This was a protracted and difficult enquiry and I would like to thank the members of the jury for giving the case their full consideration.

“I’d also like to thank the many witnesses who had the courage to come forward and Jamie’s family for conducting themselves with dignity throughout these proceedings. Our thoughts remain with them.”

Following the verdict, Mr Mulcahy’s family released a statement in which they thanked those involved in the investigation, including PC Dave Greenwood who administered first aid, family liaison officers Julie Fort and Lisa Moore, and the medical staff who continue to care for their loved one.

Wrigley, who denied having a knife or stabbing anyone, was sentenced to 12 years for wounding, and 18 months, to run consecutively, for his part in wiping the CCTV footage.