Knifeman jailed over pub attack
A peacemaker was left lucky to be alive after being stabbed and slashed while trying to stop trouble that broke out in a city bar after a "good natured" gender comment.
An older customer at the Wheatsheaf in Sunderland had asked another man to confirm what sex he was after hearing his "distinctive, effeminate voice".
Newcastle Crown Court heard those involved in the exchange in May had "all laughed" but other people in the bar "took exception" to the comment and started making threats.
The court heard it was pointed out that the gender question was asked by a "much older man who was clearly drunk" and it was a "good-natured conversation".
When the row did not settle down, a customer who had not been involved, "stood between" the people who were arguing to try and stop the trouble.
But CCTV showed within minutes that the man, who is in his 40s, was punched and ended up struggling on the floor with his attacker.
Others then became involved in the violence and Daniel Barnes warned the man "you are going to get cut up today".
Shocking footage showed Barnes, who has previous convictions for violence involving weapons, attack the man with a large kitchen knife he took from his pocket, before he was overpowered by his victim.
The man had stab wounds to his shoulder area, left forearm, and chest as well as an injury to his hand that left him unable to move two fingers.
He had a knife scratch to his face that needed surgical intervention and his chest was drained.
The court heard bone was visible through the forearm injury and the muscles in hands and wrists were damaged.
The victim said in a statement made shortly after the attack: "I am in complete shock I have been attacked with a knife. I can't believe another man would try to hurt me because I tried to stop a silly argument in the pub. "I could have been killed. "The man could have caused more serious injuries had I not been able to defend myself.
"My life has been significantly altered for the foreseeable future."
Barnes, 34, of Esdale, Sunderland, admitted wounding with intent and having a bladed article.
Mr Recorder Shakil Najib sentenced Barnes to 60 months behind bars.
The judge told him: "It is by sheer luck you stand here being sentenced for an offence of wounding with intent rather than one of murder or manslaughter. The outcome of that fateful night could have been very different.
"You had with you a large kitchen knife and you had no reason to be carrying this at all but you didn't just carry it, you used it.
"You stabbed and slashed the man who suffered serious injuries. It is only by sheer luck he is alive but his life has been changed forever."
Vince Ward, defending, said Barnes had taken alcohol and cocaine that night and added: "One of his friends seems to have added Xanax to his drinks, which clearly would not have helped his decision making that night and would have contributed both to his poor behaviour and his lack of recollection of the precise details of what has gone on."