A joiner who stabbed a father-of-three in a random attack leaving a knife protruding from his chest has been jailed.

Mark Paul Hewson, 27, stabbed Stephen Douglas as he walked home along Beverley Road, Hull, in an unprovoked attack, leaving him bleeding in the street.

It was only due to the swift arrival of the police that his life was saved.

Hewson, of Hampstead Court, north Hull, pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court yesterday to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Recorder Graham Cook told Hewson he should be "thoroughly ashamed" as he jailed him for six years.

Detective Constable Stuart Quinn said: "This was a heinous unprovoked attack on a hard working member of the public going about his business.

"He was brutally attacked and left for dead in the street with a knife embedded in his chest. Had it not been for a passing police patrol he may well have lost his life. Humberside police will not tolerate violent crime, especially knife crime, on the streets of this city."

Mr Douglas, 43, was attacked by Hewson and his two friends Michael Towse, 21, and Gavin Aldridge, 22, at 2.15am on December 6 last year.

As Mr Douglas walked passed the men, Towse turned and punched him three times in the face knocking him to the ground.

Aldridge and Hewson joined in the attack.

Hewson then stabbed Mr Douglas so hard he left the silver knife embedded in his chest and fled with Towse as the police arrived.

Aldridge was arrested at the scene and Towse later handed himself in after hearing media reports of the incident.

Hewson was found hiding in his home. His former girlfriend, Rachel Barley, admitted perverting the course of justice after she provided a fake alibi for him.

Mr Douglas, who is a grandfather, had to undergo emergency bowel surgery at Hull Royal Infirmary.

He was in hospital for 16 days and off work for six months. He has been left with six scars.

Towse, of De La Pole Avenue, west Hull, and Aldridge, of Stroud Crescent, Bransholme, have pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and are due to be sentenced tomorrow.