A fisherman was caught on CCTV crouching behind a car before attacking an old friend with a knife after warning him “I will come for you”.

Darren Finch and Peter Gull were pals who shared an interest in fishing before things turned sour between the pair, leading to a confrontation in Sheerness in February.

CCTV shows Darren Finch moments before attacking his former friend with a knife. Credit: CPS South East

Finch, of Coronation Road in the same town, spotted Mr Gull walking down Richmond Street and was then seen on CCTV pulling his car over, getting out and crouching behind a vehicle.

Moments later the 50-year-old, who was wearing a red body warmer, leapt out and grabbed the victim before a short scuffle ensued.

Mr Gull managed to wriggle free and ran off, but was left with a small stab wound to his back from a knife.

Finch was originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to wounding.

He also admitted a charge of sending an electronic communication to Mr Gull with intent to cause distress or anxiety.

Last week at Maidstone Crown Court, prosecutor Laurence Imrie explained how Finch believed his old friend owed him money and messaged him on Facebook saying: “I’m gonna f***ing hurt you Peter. I will come for you.”

He also later left a voice message to Mr Gull telling him he was “so dead”.

Defending, Daniel Stevenson, said: “It was a very, very small and not a particularly dangerous knife which was used.”

Mr Stevenson went on to say Finch had “significant health problems”, mainly a fractured neck which had been causing him significant pain.

Judge Philip Statman accepted Finch had health problems, but pointed out he had “no problem” quickly pulling his car over and crouching across the road to hide behind the car before assaulting Mr Gull.

He sentenced Finch to 12 months in prison for the wounding offence and three months for the communication offence – both will run concurrently.

However, having spent seven months and 24 days in custody already,y he said it was likely the Sheerness man would likely be released on the day or in the coming days.

A restraining order was put in place for Finch not to get in contact with his victim or the victim’s wife for five years.