[A] TEENAGER who stabbed his close friend in the back as violence flared at a house in Workington has been jailed.
Jonathan Winstanley, 18, plunged the blade of a foot-long knife into Michael Hill as trouble flared at the teen’s parents’ home in Firth View Walk on March 24.
Mr Hill suffered a single 5cm deep wound which led to him suffering a collapsed lung and needing hospital treatment.
However, Carlisle Crown Court heard how Mr Hill had been aggressive after arriving at the address. He had swung a punch at the step-father of Winstanley, whose mother was pushed across a room as fighting broke out between the two pals.
Winstanley was said to have then taken a knife from the kitchen to protect his family, ward off Mr Hill and get him out of the property.
But the remorseful teen accepted his actions then went beyond self-defence as the stab wound was inflicted.
Winstanley, also of Firth View Walk, admitted a charge of unlawful wounding. He was sentenced today (THURS) at the crown court by Recorder John Corless, who imposed a 20-month custodial sentence.
“It is by luck and good fortune that no more serious injury was caused,” said Recorder Corless.