A MAN who stabbed his friend during a scuffle following a drinking session has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Thomas Casey, 24, left victim Damien Taylor with blood gushing from his arm and damage to his chest after the attack in Bacup.

Casey, of Thorn Bank, Bacup, admitted wounding and possessing an offensive weapon.

Sentencing, Recorder Michael Blakey told him the use and carrying of knives to cause injury and sometimes death had become the scurge of society.

The judge said: "The courts have to send a message to those who are going to involve themselves in carrying a weapon and subsequently using it that it will not be tolerated and people like you, who use weapons, will receive substantial prison sentences."

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, told the court Casey and Taylor had been with a group which spent the day drinking lager and vodka, started shouting and swearing at each other and the pair decided to go outside onto Princess Street.

They squared up to each other in confrontation and Casey chased the victim into Lord Street and lashed out towards him with the knife. Mr Taylor was stabbed and his sister saw blood gushing from his arm. Another witness heard him shouting he had been stabbed.

Mr McEntee said when police attended, Mr Taylor had a towel to his arm which was soaked in blood and said he had been stabbed in the arm and chest. He did not assist the police after that.

The defendant was arrested and interviewed and made no response. He provided a written statement, saying he and Mr Taylor had been discussing the relationship between the victim and the defendant's cousin and it got out of hand.

A knife was found nearby. Casey had 11 previous convictions, including an offence of robbery and had served jail terms.

Jeff Samuels, defending, said Casey and Mr Taylor were friends at the time and were still. Casey had had far too much to drink and a row of no great significance was blown up out of all proportion. The victim produced the knife and the pair fought.

Casey had spent 46 days on remand. He could have chosen to plead not guilty to see if the witnesses attended and whether they were prepared to give evidence against him.

The barrister added: "Mr Taylor was not prepared to assist the prosecution in any way."