A KNIFEMAN who brutally slashed his victim in his own home has had his "unduly lenient" jail term dramatically increased by Appeal Court judges.

The Attorney-General, Lord Goldsmith, QC, successfully argued that the prison sentence handed down to Burnley's Jameel Khan was not long enough for the "ferocious and sustained" attack on his defenceless victim.

Father-of-five Khan, 35, of North Street, was convicted by a jury at Preston Crown Court of wounding with intent and sentenced on February 9 to three years and nine months jail.

But London's Court of Appeal yesterday increased that term to six years after focusing on the aggravating features of the attack - including that Khan had aimed for "vulnerable parts of the body".

Khan's victim, Mohammed Afzal Khan, was in his home in Whittaker Street, Burnley, when his attacker lunged at him with a seven-inch bladed knife in April last year, said Lord Justice Rose.

Mohammed Khan was first hit in the neck and then, as he turned to flee, was struck again with the knife in the back of the head, leaving him with wounds that needed a total of 23 stitches.

The judge added that "for good measure" Khan then hit his victim over the head several times with a walking stick with such force that it broke.

This bloodstained weapon was later recovered by police, but the knife never was, the court heard. Lord Justice Rose said the pair had previously argued at Mohammed Khan's home over a debt, and that Khan went away and returned a few minutes later with another man and resumed the row.

The victim was so worried about his safety that he picked up the walking stick ready to defend himself, but dropped it after the other man, who was not charged with any offence, persuaded him he had nothing to fear - only for Khan to launch his attack.

Lord Justice Rose said the victim later made a statement saying the attack had ruined his life, leaving him afraid, even when in his own home.