Violent criminal John Wayne Conaway plunged a blade into another man’s chest as a row over a forged £20 note erupted into violence.

Victim Steven Graham was left with blood pouring from a chest wound after being knifed by Conaway in Workington on March 16. Mr Graham suffered a two-inch wound and was treated in hospital after his lung was punctured during the incident at Firth View Walk.

Conaway, 41, was jailed for seven and a half years at Carlisle Crown Court. He had admitted a charge of wounding with intent.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, told the court trouble flared as several men came together, with Conaway accused by Mr Graham of trying to use a forged £20 note.

Conaway “became aggressive”, said Mr Rogerson, missing with a first punch but then landing a second.

Mr Graham responded, before Conaway swung again “in a jabbing action” which struck the left side of the victim’s body.

“Mr Graham felt something running down his chest,” said Mr Rogerson.

Such was the flow of blood, that when Mr Graham summoned help at a nearby house he was asked to stand in the bath.

Conaway was arrested at his home but no knife was ever recovered.

“When police entered his property they noted that the washing machine was on, and was full of a complete set of clothes and trainers,” added Mr Rogerson.

Conaway initially denied the offence, telling police he was not even at the crime scene. He was later said to have admitted to others that he had stabbed Mr Graham but described the wound as a “laal nick”.

Barrister Brendan Burke gave mitigation for Conaway, who the court heard had 124 previous convictions.

“Really his only sensible mitigation is that (guilty) plea which was entered at the first opportunity at this court,” said Mr Burke, “together with an anxiety to get the matter dealt with.”

Conaway also admitted possessing an offensive weapon – the knife – and stealing meat from a Workington co-op on January 23.

Jailing Conaway, of Devonshire Street, Workington, Judge Peter Davies told him: “If the knife had been any longer and been used with much more force you would have killed him.”