Two men left rival close to death in stabbing attack after "pathetic argument"
Two men who left a rival close to death in a stabbing attack after a "pathetic argument" have been put behind bars.
Lewis Thompson, Argenti Jahelezi and a third attacker, who has since gone on the run, argued with the victim in the Teams area of Gateshead before he was knifed four times to the armpit, back, side and bottom.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the injured man was found collapsed in a garden after the violence last March and his "heart was about to stop" but paramedics saved his life.
The court heard part of the background involved the victim accusing Thompson of stealing a bike and they had argued about it before the attack.
After the stabbing, Albania national Jahelezi was seen carrying a "fearsome looking, large, pointed kitchen knife".Thompson, 23, of Gainsborough Crescent and Jahelezi, 19, of Balmlaw, both Gateshead, admitted wounding with intent and have both been jailed for six years and four months.
Judge Tim Gittins said: "Once again, young males resorting to using knives and group violence, risking lives over pathetic arguments and wasting their own lives by facing long custodial sentences that have to follow."
The judge said when paramedics reached the victim he was "close to death", his "heart was about to stop" and he would have died without the treatment he was given.
Prosecutor Emma Dowling said the victim was found lying in a garden "clearly seriously injured" and taken to hospital after "sterling work" by paramedics.
Miss Dowling said his life was saved due to the actions of the paramedics who attended the scene and told the court: "The injuries can properly be described as life threatening.
"Had the paramedics not done sterling work when they first came across him he would not still be alive."
The court heard Jahelezi arrived in the UK with his mum when he was around 12 and has had a traumatic upbringing.
It was accepted Thompson was not armed with a knife or any other weapon during the attack and was not looking for trouble that night.