TWO men have been jailed for attempted murder after a stabbing in Poole in connection with threats from rival gangs.

Michael O’Rourke, 38, and Kieran Cameron, 34, were found guilty of attempted murder at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday.

O’Rourke was sentenced to 25 years and Cameron was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

The court heard that Cameron and O’Rourke had stabbed their 22-year-old male victim, who is from Poole, around 10 times during the attack Parkstone Heights in February.

Both O’Rourke and Cameron were immersed in serious and organised crime and had been under threat from a rival gang.

Members of the jury were told they tried to kill the victim in a bid to lay the blame at the door of this rival gang.

In CCTV shown to the court, the victim’s Ford Focus was seen in Parkstone Heights off Ringwood Road, parking at the top of a cul-de-sac near to the entrance of a footpath.

At around 11.45pm, Cameron and O’Rourke could be seen running from the footpath into Parkstone Heights toward Ringwood Road.

The victim staggered from the alleyway to the top of the footpath before seeking help at an address nearby.

He had sustained 10 stab wounds to the stomach, neck and back of the head.

He was taken to Poole Hospital and underwent surgery, and has since recovered from his injuries.

O’Rourke was also seen on CCTV buying a double-bladed JCB knife from a shop on Monday February 22, which has never been recovered, but the court heard that it is believed to have been the knife used in the stabbing.

Detective Sergeant Jamie Halford, of Bournemouth CID, said: “I am satisfied with the sentence handed down by the courts.

“Violent knife-related crime is completely unacceptable and this case shows that police and the courts will investigate and come down heavily on anyone carrying out such vicious attacks.

“This was a pre-planned assault by O’Rourke and Cameron that could have so easily led to the death of a young man. I would like to pay tribute to the quick thinking of members of the public who came to the victim’s aid and the excellent medical staff at Poole Hospital who treated him.

“Finally, I would like to thank all the officers and detectives who worked hard on this case to ensure O’Rourke and Cameron were brought to justice.”