Man jailed after stabbing in pub smoking area

A man has been jailed after stabbing another man three times in a pub smoking area.

Teesside Crown Court heard William Blaney, 22, from Hartlepool, pulled a knife from his jacket pocket before stabbing the victim during the incident in the Hartlepool pub.

The victim described in an impact statement how the attack in the Royal Public House on Church Street had left him with "stress and trauma".

Blaney pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and was jailed for 30 months.

Det Con Nigel Rusby, of Cleveland Police, said he was "satisfied" with the sentence and hoped it would deter other young people from carrying a knife.

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