A MAN who repeatedly stabbed an off-duty police inspector in the neck has failed in his appeal to have his prison sentenced reduced.Matthew Oakshott, 25, of Byron Road, Ipswich, was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court in July last year.

A MAN who repeatedly stabbed an off-duty police inspector in the neck has failed in his appeal to have his prison sentenced reduced.

Matthew Oakshott, 25, of Byron Road, Ipswich, was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court in July last year.

An appeal against the length of his sentence was rejected at London's Court of Appeal yesterday and the court was told that sentence had been imposed by the trial judge to reflect public disgust and horror at the attack.

Last year's trial heard that Oakshott had stabbed 38-year-old Graham Underwood about 15 times in the neck with a DIY knife in Tuddenham Road on January 26.

Mr Underwood had enjoyed an evening out with friends on the night in question and was waiting for a taxi in Lloyds Avenue when Oakshott barged to the front of the queue and insisted on being dropped off in Byron Road.

Mr Underwood told Oakshott, who he had never seen before, that he was going in the opposite direction to Tuddenham Road.

However, as Mr Underwood got into the front passenger seat of the taxi, Oakshott climbed into the back and became increasingly upset and aggressive during the journey as he realised he wasn't heading to Byron Road.

When the taxi stopped Mr Underwood paid the driver and got out. Oakshott followed him and launched his attack as Mr Underwood walked away.

Oakshott had denied wounding with intent but admitted unlawfully wounding. He was found guilty of the more serious offence and sentenced accordingly.