Prison for stabbing his victim 12 times

Ulster thug gets 9yr term

A THUG who caused life-changing injuries to a vulnerable man when he stabbed him and stole his phone has been jailed for nine years.

Lindsay Harkin, 29, originally from Northern Ireland and known as Irish Joey, will spend an extra three years on licence post-release after a court ruled him a danger to the public.

His victim Damian Berry, 35, suffered a severe injury to his kidney as well as 12 knife wounds to his arms and torso during the attack outside his home in Blackburn on July 1.

He was so traumatised he has now left the large town to make a new life in Yorkshire, Preston Crown Court heard.

CCTV footage of the incident shows Harkin fleeing the scene while Mr Berry is later seen staggering along the street covered in blood as he knocked on a neighbour’s door for help.

A resident made a 999 call in which Mr Berry can be heard shouting “I’m going to die” as the neighbour tended to his wounds.

Miss Chestnut, defending Harkin, said he had a childhood “devoid of love”.

She added he recognises he needs to break the cycle of senseless violence and takes full responsibility for the lifechanging effects of the attack.

The court heard Harkin has previous convictions for wounding, domestic violence and ABH. During sentencing,

Judge Simon Medland said: “You have a long and disturbing criminal record. You are to be considered a dangerous offender – you pose a significant risk of serious harm.” However, Judge Medland added Harkin’s response to a probation officer “could scarcely be improved”. He handed the defendant a nine-year sentence and a three-year extended licence period.

ATTACK Lindsay Harkin HORROR Mr Berry after he was knifed CAUGHT Harkin on CCTV