A drunken night out ended with a Bromsgrove man launching an attack with a butcher's sharpening steel on another man, Worcester Crown Court was told.

In a fight, 33-year-old Dale Hobbis stabbed Phillip Lyall in the neck with the steel, which had snapped, said Janet Pitt-Lewis, prosecuting.

Hobbis, of Birlingham House, Burcot Road, admitted unlawful wounding but denied wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was found guilty of the second charge and jailed for three-and-a-half years last Wednesday.

Hobbis and his girlfriend Emma Noakes had been out with Mr Lyall and Scott Young at three pubs, the Queen's Head, Houlihans and the Black Cross, on March 4 this year, said Miss Pitt-Lewis.

The men had drunk considerable amounts. Hobbis and his girlfriend split up after an argument and she was walking home alone when she met up with the other two and went to their flat.

Hobbis was in a bad mood and armed himself with the butcher's steel before going to the flat. When he was admitted to the flat a struggle broke out and Mr Lyall was stabbed in the neck with the steel.

William Rickarby, defending, said Hobbis was remorseful about what had happened. He had no intention of causing serious harm. The weapon had been taken as a deterrent. Recorder Robert Juckes QC said it was obvious he was a man who could resort to violence when pushed.