Man who stabbed friend is jailed

A MAN who stabbed his “best friend” in the back has been jailed.

Terence Parkin “went red” as he plunged a kitchen knife five times into his friend of 42 years after a drunken argument.

A court heard how the victim, who was lying bloodied on the floor of a house in Furness Avenue, Oldham, told Parkin: “Get away and I won’t tell anyone what happened.”

The sheet metal worker (57), from Hattersley Road West, Hyde, was jailed yesterday at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court for 40 months. He had admitted wounding with intent.

The court had heard that Parkin was out with friends, including the victim, celebrating his birthday at the near-by Manor Inn pub, in Abbeyhills Road.

They continued drinking at the house where the incident happened on March 29 this year.

Friends heard a commotion in the kitchen and discovered Parkin cradling his friend in his arms.

It is believed Parkin was provoked after the victim punched him in the face.

Realising what he had done, Parkin ordered the onlookers to phone for an ambulance and he then confessed to arriving police officers.

The victim was rushed to the Royal Oldham Hospital where he received immediate treatment to the stab wounds on his back and torso.

He underwent subsequent operations and is recovering.

Parkin’s defence claimed he did not have “a great deal of recollection” of the incident. Mr Steven Sullivan, defending, told the court the pair were considered “like brothers”, socialising all the time.

“He lost self-control momentarily and then realised what he had done. He knows his friendship of 42 years is over.”

Judge Bernard Lever, describing the incident as “not a classic case of knifing”, said to Parkin: “This is an absolute tragedy for the victim, his family and friends, but it is also an absolute tragedy for you.

“Both of you had too much to drink and your long-standing friend, it was said, punched you in the face.

“Because you were drunk, but still sober enough to use specific intent, you took a knife and stabbed five times your best friend.”