A man who stabbed his victim in the stomach in an alleyway following several arguments has been jailed.

Luke Sutherland, of Bramble Avenue, Bean, was sentenced to seven years in jail after pleading guilty to stabbing the man, who he knew.

The 30-year-old was drunk when he attacked the man in an alleyway in Stonewood, Bean, on Saturday, June 10, a court was told.

He had gone to the back garden of a flat at about midnight and was shouting a man's name.

The victim, a man in his twenties, was sitting in his back garden at the time and knew both Sutherland and the man he was calling for.

The younger man knew Sutherland and the person he was shouting for had fallen out so the man, who had also previously had arguments with the attacker, went to a home in Bean to warn his friend Sutherland was looking for him.

When the victim got there he saw the offender hiding behind a wall. He tried to scare him off and ended up getting into an argument with Sutherland.

It was then the victim noticed the 30-year-old was carrying a knife.

The victim and Sutherland went their separate ways with the former going back to his home.

But at about 1am Sutherland reappeared outside his victim's home and started shouting the same name he had been calling previously.

At this point the victim picked up a pick axe handle and swung it down onto his fence in an attempt to scare Sutherland off.

The victim then left his back garden and went into an adjoining alleyway with the intention of chasing Sutherland away.

But Sutherland had other ideas and approached his victim, stabbing him in the stomach with a knife. He then ran away.

Police were called at 1.04am and the victim was taken to a London hospital where he was treated for serious stomach injuries.

Sutherland was arrested at 1.35am and later charged.

Sutherland was jailed at Woolwich Crown Court having been charged with one count of wounding with intent.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Phil Pead, said: "This was a particularly nasty attack against the victim who sustained serious injuries.

"Sutherland had gone out that night intending on causing harm and when he did not find the person he was looking for, the victim became his target.

"Kent Police will not tolerate crime and will investigate any incident thoroughly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."