Leslie Marrs, 29, suffered a punctured lung and fractured ribs when he was stabbed by Stephen George.

Mr Marrs had welcomed guests into his home at Argyle Square, near Sunderland's city centre, but had asked them to leave when they got too rowdy, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

One guest, Darren Nixon, punched him in the eye and pulled his top over his head.

Prosecutor Tim Parkin said George then pulled out a knife and stabbed Mr Marrs.

Mr Marrs was lying on the ground trying to protect himself, although Nixon may have left by then, said Mr Parkin

George, 29, of Tatham Street, Hendon, Sunderland, was already subject to a suspended sentence for carrying a knife.

He admitted wounding with intent, in relation to the incident last November.

Nixon, of Bramwell Road, Hendon, admitted assault. He will be sentenced on August 1 after his suitability has been assessed for a drug treatment order.

Judge Beatrice Bolton jailed George, who has previous convictions for carrying knives but none for violence, for four years.

She said: "This is a demonstration of what can happen when people habitually carry bladed articles.

"For no reason at all you decided you were going to stab Mr Marrs and you stabbed him twice in the back.

"One of the stab wounds caused a very serious injury which could have been life-threatening.

"What possessed you to do this I do not know – presumably you were inflamed by drink."

Defence barrister Robert Woodcock said George was drinking six to eight litres of cider every day at the time and feels genuine remorse for what he did.