A 21-year-old has been sent to prison for six years and two months for the “ugly, unprovoked” knife attack on “a friend.”

Jimmy Devlin launched his attack on Tommy Mulcrow on January 18 last year in a block of flats in Rochester.

Judge Philip Statman said Devlin had taken the view that the victim had been “discourteous” and punched him in the head.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that after escaping the flat, Mr Mulcrow returned to collect his e-scooter and then saw Devlin running towards him holding a lock knife.

He then plunged the knife into his right forearm, neck and three times his chest which had punctured a lung. He also suffered an injury to his spleen.

Mr Mulcrow was taken to King’s College Hospital in London and spent days in the ICU - leaving him with “constant nightmares”, the court heard.

The judge added: “He also has scars to his body which will remind him for the rest of his life of what you did, to your victim who you describe as a friend.

Devlin, of Stock Close, Rochester, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

A pre-sentence report said he had an “excessively violent background” with “many criminals in his family.”

The report writer said Devlin, who carried a knife for protection, felt the need to “uphold his reputation and keep himself safe.”

The judge said Devlin now feels genuine remorse.

Commenting after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Paul Fewtrell of Medway CID said: “Devlin carried out a vicious attack following an argument with the victim.

“By arming himself with a knife Devlin chose to escalate that situation and inflicted serious injuries which could easily have been far worse.

“Kent Police takes knife crime extremely seriously and we operate a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who chooses to carry weapons.”