A TORQUAY man who launched a premeditated knife attack at the end of a long-running neighbour row over loud music has been jailed for two years.

Exeter Crown Court heard 21-year-old Daniel Cox of Burridge Road, Torquay, actually got the wrong man when he twice stabbed bar manager John White, who was just visiting the premises.

Cox pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and possessing an offensive weapon.

Passing sentence, Judge Stephen Wildblood QC told Cox: "You came down to the flat armed with a two-foot metal baseball bat when there was an argument between your girlfriend and the woman in the flat.

"Mr White intervened and tried to disarm you. You then picked up the knife and stabbed him twice in the back leaving wounds three centimetres and one-and-a-half centimetres deep.

"The victim was distressed and in pain and the injuries could have been far worse, only just missing the spine.

"Further, you have a previous conviction for attacking a man whose nose was nearly ripped from his face and he required some 50 stitches."

Prosecutor Ayse Vahib said there had been a long-standing feud between Cox and his neighbours about playing loud music late into the night especially as the man in another flat worked as a baker and had to get up extremely early.

The victim was, in fact, nothing to do with the dispute, he was just visiting the family, one of whom was his girlfriend.

Ms Vahib said the row broke out just after midnight and ended up with John White standing outside Cox's flat with his girlfriend, who was involved in the altercation.

Cox was armed with the metal baseball bat and was brandishing it above his head and making threats.

Mr White tried to disarm Cox and, as he did so, he felt like he was being injured in the back. He put his down and felt a hot sticky substance which turned out to be his blood flowing from two puncture wounds made by the knife used in an upward stabbing motion. He was taken to hospital where he was treated for two stab wounds which were one-and-a-half and three centimetres deep.

The prosecutor said when Cox was interviewed he ludicrously suggested one of the family had taken the opportunity to stab Mr White and shift the blame onto him.

Defence counsel Lee Bremridge said Cox accepted he had lost his temper and was facing a lengthy custodial sentence.

It was sheer good fortune Mr White had not been more seriously injured.

He now regretted what had happened and all he wanted to was to get back to his girlfriend who had just given birth to their son.