A knifeman jailed for stabbing a friend who refused to leave his home in a row has had his appeal quashed.

Taylor Martin, 26, from Whitstable, inflicted a life-threatening abdominal wound on Tarren Laughton after the pair fell out during a drinking session at Martin’s house in October 2016.

Martin, of St Francis Close, was convicted of wounding with intent and jailed for 17 years, with an extended licence period of four years.

But senior judges at the Criminal Appeal Court last year granted the prisoner rights to a retrial at Canterbury Crown Court on self-defence grounds.

However a jury yesterday unanimously ruled Martin guilty of the attack, which left Mr Laughton fighting for his life.

Martin argued he was acting in lawful self-defence when he turned on his friend, because Mr Laughton had become an intruder after refusing to leave.

The householder defence is usually raised where burglars raid a dwelling and the occupant resorts to violence.

'It was almost like a numb feeling in my stomach, like being punched really really hard' - Tarren Laughton

But a change in law ruled the defence could extend to an intruder who is initially invited into premises but later “becomes a trespasser”.

The defendant argued Mr Laughton armed himself with wine glasses and became intimidating, and so he drew the blade in self-defence.

Defence barrister Simon Taylor told the court the duo then “came together” in a clash, when Martin plunged the blade into Mr Laughton.

Yet Mr Laughton rebuffed the claim, arguing Martin thrust the knife into his lower stomach and twisted the weapon.

“It was almost like a numb feeling in my stomach, like being punched really really hard,” he told the jury.

Martin then dragged his victim outside as part of his stomach hung out, and then stamped on his head, prosecutor Kieran Brand said.

The jury heard the men had been drinking with Martin’s girlfriend but fell out about Mr Laughton buying the alcohol.

Martin initially blamed the vicious attack on two strangers – which resulted in an innocent 14-year-old schoolboy being arrested and questioned.

He was caught on police bodycam footage smirking and telling his fictitious account as Mr Laughton fought for his life in hospital.

Judge Simon James passed an extended 19 years sentence on Martin, 15 years custody and four on extended license.

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