A DRUNKEN teenager plunged a knife six centimetres into a father-of-two's chest in front of his family on his doorstep, because he didn't like his birthmark.

Barry Smith, 24, of the Highercroft area, underwent major surgery after the blade passed through his abdomen, diaphragm and several arteries, rupturing his spleen and stomach.

David Yates, 18, of Brecon Road, Whitebirk, was so drunk he could not remember he had carried out the unprovoked attack, Preston Crown Court heard.

He was yesterday sentenced to four years in a young offenders' institution after being found guilty of wounding with intent to endanger life.

Mr Smith, who has moved out of the Whitebirk area because of the attack, today said he was still living in fear.

He added: "Physically, I am okay now, but I am not mentally. I have bad dreams and am always looking behind me.

"I am terrified of going out. I am happy with the sentence, but I wish it was longer. My friends and family have been a big strength for me."

Judge Christopher Cornwall said the punishment was a warning to others who hung around on street corners, got drunk and caused trouble. He told Yates: "You are extremely fortunate this is not a more serious charge.

"Whether it is right you have no recollection, I do not know.

"There is no doubt you deliberately sought Mr Smith out and identified him as a suitable target him by the reason of the birth mark on the back of his neck.

"You were able to find his address and identify him. When you were asked why, you said he deserved it."

Detective Sergeant Ian Critchley, of Blackburn CID, speaking after the case, said: "The sentence is proportionate and, hopefully, will send out a message of the dangers of using knives or weapons in retribution, because it only takes one wrong thrust and it could kill somebody.

"It is a traumatic incident for the family and something no one should have to go through to be stabbed on your own doorstep in front of your family for no reason whatsoever.

"It will stay with the family for as long as they live. They recognise that the consequences could have been much worse.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't appear the offender has realised those consequences. At no stage has he shown any remorse for the incident."

Mr Smith, a joiner, and his partner left their old home in Hereford Road, Shadsworth and walked to a nearby relative's house on October 23 last year.

They bumped into Yates, who they did not know and 15 minutes later when they returned home, found him banging on their door. Mr Smith went up to Yates and told him to go away after being challenged to a fight.

Yates said: "It's him -- he's the one with the mark on his neck."

Yates, who was concealing the knife up a sleeve, then thrust twice. Mr Smith managed to shield his body with his arm, but the second blow struck into chest.

The court heard that Mr Smith thought he had been punched until he saw the blood. He staggered into his home breathless and was taken to hospital.

Yates fled the scene and got rid of his blood-splattered jacket.

He then slashed himself with the knife, causing superficial injuries, so he could pretend he had acted in self-defence, the court heard.

Yates' defence presented references from neighbours, a local newsagent and his employers and said he came from a stable family, had a loving mother and little criminal record.

But Judge Cornwall said anyone convicted of wounding with intent to endanger life must lose their liberty and face a severe sentence.