Stow man jailed for knife attack

A 23-year-old Stowmarket man has been jailed for stabbing a man who rowed with his girlfriend.Richard O'Keefe, of Bury Street, had been arguing with his girlfriend Joanne Todd when Sean Dillon heard her screams and came to her rescue.

A 23-year-old Stowmarket man has been jailed for nine months for stabbing a man.

Richard O'Keefe, of Bury Street, had been arguing with his girlfriend Joanne Todd when Sean Dillon heard her screams and came to her rescue.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that Mr Dillon had been in the Stag public house when he heard the "hysterical screams".

He went outside and realised the screams were coming from a house where O'Keefe and Miss Todd lived, Dillon was let into the house.

The court heard that Mr Dillon thought O'Keefe had punched him in the chest so Mr Dillon punched O'Keefe twice in self-defence.

O'Keefe then stumbled back into the kitchen and Mr Dillon believed he returned with a knife in each hand. Mr Dillon then left the house and went back to the pub where someone pointed out that his chest was bleeding.

He suffered a one-centimetre stab wound and was treated at West Suffolk and Papworth hospitals after suffering breathlessness and pain.

The court heard that O'Keefe, who pleaded guilty to wounding, had a previous criminal record for common assault and criminal damage. He had been conditionally discharged for those crimes but had breached the order by injuring Mr Dillon.

Lindsay Cox mitigating said O'Keefe was "ashamed" about the incident and for the injury caused to Mr Dillon.

Judge John Holt said: "You certainly went beyond self-defence. You used a knife and caused what was potentially a very serious injury."