A MAN who stabbed a DJ in the back has escaped a custodial sentence.

Preston Crown court was told that after the attack Alan Fielding spent three days in hospital and had to have a drain inserted as he had air in his lungs.

Rikki Burke, 22, of Whalley New Road, Blackburn, was found guilty by a jury of unlawful wounding following a trial in May.

He was sentenced to a 100-hour community punishment order and a two-year community rehabilitation order with a condition he attends

the Think First programme. He was also ordered to pay 41-year-old Mr Fielding £700 compensation.

Andrew Alty, prosecuting, told the court both men were gay, but there was no sexual relationship between them. He said the offence took place while Burke was living at Mr Fielding's house.

He said that on December 14 Burke was "in a huff" and had gone to his sisters. Later after he returned. Burke rushed at Mr Fielding, hit him in his face and stabbed him in the back.

Burke claimed he had defended himself, but had not intended to cause serious injury. He said he had been held on a bed by Mr Fielding and had reached for something to get him off.

Miss Sharon Watson, defending, said Burke, a delivery driver, had no record for violence.