A THUG who stabbed a man after a brawl in the car park of a North Dorset pub has been jailed for eight years.

James Wall, 24, knifed Karl Newton in the chest a number of times on the night of Sunday, May 13.

Wall, who is of no fixed abode, was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place after a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

At around 11pm on the night of the stabbing, a fight broke out between a group of men in the car park of The Red Lion pub in Gillingham High Street.

One man suffered minor facial injuries.

The group then left the area. However, 15 minutes later, several returned to continue the fight.

Wall, one of the men to return, was then seen to pull out a knife and stab Mr Newton, 25, in the chest.

The victim was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital. He was treated for stab wounds to his chest, abdomen and left shoulder, as well as a collapsed lung.

After knifing Mr Newton, Wall returned to a flat in the town where he had been staying and attempted to clean the blade with bleach.

He was arrested the following day, and detectives found the weapon - a kitchen knife with a seven-inch blade - stashed in a carrier bag in a bush in Addison Close.

A 26-year-old man, of no fixed abode, was also charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a bladed article. He was found not guilty of both offences following the trial.

Prosecutors dropped charges of perverting the course of justice and possessing a bladed article against an 18-year-old Ferndown woman during the trial and not guilty verdicts were formally entered.

Detective Constable Gerald Marchant, of Weymouth CID, said: “This was a violent attack with a knife that left the victim with very nasty injuries.

“We will not tolerate the use of knives on the streets of Dorset and will make every effort to ensure those who are responsible for committing such offences are brought to justice.”