THIS is the shocking moment a thug stabbed an innocent man twice during an unprovoked attack in a town centre bar.

Ryan Grimshaw, 24, of Springfield Bank, Burnley, has been jailed for five-and-a-half years following the knifing in Fluidz Bar, Hammerton Street.

And Grimshaw was slammed by a judge at Preston Crown Court who said he was "prowling around the area before the attack with force and venom".

His victim Wayne Morrison, 21, was left with a punctured left lung after being stabbed twice and police said the attack could easily have proved fatal.

The dramatic CCTV footage shows Mr Morrison having a drink in the bar with friends and get into a conversation with Grimshaw.

Mr Morrison then appears to what's going on' gesture to Grimshaw, who then launches the attack.

The footage shows him making two vicious lunges towards Mr Morrison, who staggers back.

Not realising he has been stabbed Mr Morrison then touches his chest twice as Grimshaw makes off.

The CCTV then shows shocked onlookers nervously looking toward the injured Mr Morrison.

At the time, Grimshaw was on licence after being released from a four-year jail term for violent disorder carried out during the Burnley riots when he stabbed Mr Morrison.

He had originally denied malicious wounding but pleaded guilty to the charge last month after five days of his trial.

Grimshaw was also sentenced for a further wounding charge after breaking the jaw of a prison guard while in Haverigg Prison in 2004 following his role in the Burnley riots.

Speaking after the hearing Detective Constable Dave Hindle, of Burnley CID, said he hoped Grimshaw's sentence would deter people from carrying knives.

He said: "Grimshaw stabbed Wayne twice in the chest in what appeared to be an unprovoked and vicious attack. One of those wounds punctured his lung and the consequences could have proved fatal.

"He is a dangerous man and the judge sentenced him to an extended licence because he is such a significant danger to the public.

"Physically Wayne has made a full recovery but he has suffered from the attack in the respect that he is not as outgoing as he was."

Judge Norman Wright said: "You armed yourself with a knife. You stabbed him twice.

"CCTV footage shows you prowling around before you make the attack with force and venom."

Miss Elizabeth Nicholls, defending, said there were no excuses or explanations for either of the offences. She said there had been hostility between the defendant and the victim.

The court was told that the attack in the prison happened when the officer Mr Pugh was locking the doors.

The defendant started swearing at him.

Eventually, Grimshaw was told he would be moved to another unit. He punched out at the officer, with a single blow to the left eye.

He had to be restrained from assaulting him further. Mr Pugh was taken to Furness General hospital.

He had suffered a depressed fracture around the eye socket. In a victim impact statement he said he was in a lot of pain afterwards.

Fourteen months later, he apparently still did not have full feeling in his face.

Grimshaw had previous convictions for actual bodily harm assault, violent disorder and wounding.