AN ex-convict who stabbed two men during a night out in Burnley was today beginning a life sentence.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Imran Sardar, 29, had previous convictions for a knife-point rape, attempted rape, assault causing actual bodily harm and police assault.

Judge Raymond Bennett handed down the life term, which is mandatory unless exceptional circumstances can be proved, because of the defendant's second conviction for a serious offence.

The court heard both victims, Sadiq Khan and Zahir Aslam, underwent surgery after Sardar attacked them with a four-inch ornamental Harley Davidson knife.

The judge said he would have hoped after Sardar had served seven years in a young offenders institution he would have kept out of trouble.

He told the defendant he could not find exceptional circumstances and would be failing in his duty if he did not send him to prison for life.

Judge Bennett went on: "The message must go out that it's not allowed to carry knives, even if people think they need to protect themselves."

Sardar, of Apsley Street, Keighley, had earlier been convicted by a jury of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding after a trial. He must serve 79 days short of three years before he is considered for parole.

The court was told the two victims had been to Churchills nightclub, Burnley, in June 2001. As they left there was an exchange of words and one of the defendant's group picked a fight with Mr Aslam.

Sardar threw a punch, Mr Khan then intervened, felt a blow to his head and blood flowed from a neck wound. He felt dizzy and fell to his knees.

Mr Aslam went over and threw punches and was stabbed 'wrecklessly' in the hand.

Kevin Donnelly, prosecuting, said the defendant then got in a car and drove off. One of his friends phoned 999 on a mobile phone, did not speak but the line was left open.

Sardar was recorded saying he had "stabbed two of them."

Sardar suffered a two and a half centimetre neck wound which caused nerve injury and he had to have an operation to repair blood vessels. He has some permanent loss of sensation around his ear.

Mr Aslam had to have surgery to reattach nerves in his hand and was left scarred. Mr Donnelly said at first the defendant denied having a knife but after the 999 tape was played he accepted causing the injuries and claimed it was self-defence.

Paul Greaney, defending, said the sex offences occurred more than 10 years ago and no injuries were caused by the use of a knife. Sardar was 17 at the time, but was now married with a four year old child.

Mr Greaney added at the time of the wounding the defendant was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after an assault and that would have affected the way he responded. If he received treatment he did not pos a serious risk to the public.