A man – who stabbed a brave husband as he defended his wife – has been jailed for three years today.

Khyle Harding, 23, admitted plunging the knife into Darren Catt after two women began fighting outside the Deja Vous Nightclub.

The punch up began after sneak thief Tia Wesley stole a handbag belonging to Mr Catt’s wife Nikki inside the club in Adrian Street.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how Wesley, 19, of Chevalier Road, Dover was confronted nearby and became involved in a scuffle.

Mr Catt was telephoned by his distressed wife in March last year and went to her aid – but was confronted by Harding and his pal Ryan Derby.

He told a jury that he was attacked but had not realised he had been stabbed.

The knife punctured a lung and he was taken to for treatment to a London Hospital but has since recovered.

Wesley pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding on the day he was due to stand trial.

His co-accused Ryan Derby, 31, who denied wounding with intent, was acquitted after the judge stopped the trial.

The jury had heard evidence from Harding’s ex-lover how the two men returned laughing after the attack.

Harding, 23, from Thamesmead, had confessed to the stabbing on three occasions, the court heard.

Darren Catt told the jury how he had been attacked by two men, one in front of him and the other behind him which he fought off.

He then bent down to help his stricken wife, Nikki, who had been become embroiled in fight with a woman who she had confronted after the theft of her handbag.

As he did he felt a “dull blow” to his rib cage and although he didn't realise until later, he had been stabbed.

The incident had begun when Wesley was caught on CCTV stealing the handbag, which she took from the club and gave to others.

Mrs Catt later realised the handbag had been stolen and alerted her husband who was nearby.

Judge Rupert Lowe in giving her a 12-month conditional discharge told her she was a liar.

He said: "You have never told the truth to anybody in authority and probably not to yourself, about what you did that night.

“But you quite plainly stole Nikki Catt’s handbag and you went straight outside and gave it to people who immediately started stealing its contents.

“That was thoroughly dishonest and mean trick played upon someone you knew."

Before the start of the trial, the CPS dropped an assault charge against Jack Thompson, 24, from Milner Crescent, Aylesham. He had denied the offence.