TWO men have been jailed for their part in a knife attack which could have cost a Darwen man his life.

Victim Peter Dawson sustained a serious stab wound to his chest and a collapsed lung after being attacked on his doorstep.

Preston Crown Court was told that it happened after a scuffle at a kebab shop in Darwen between Mr Dawson and Anthony Fielding in which he came off worst.

Fielding then enlisted the help of Craig Cosgrove, who had the reputation of being a 'hard man' to seek revenge on Mr Dawson.

Cosgrove, 26, of Two Gates Drive, admitted wounding with intent and was jailed for five years. Fielding, 21, of Exchange Street, both Darwen, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and was jailed for a year.

Judge Peter Openshaw QC, told Cosgrove, Mr Dawson could easily have been killed. Mr Richard Haworth, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court on the evening of March 11 last year, Mr Dawson and his wife Michelle had been out with friends. In the early hours of March 12 there was a scuffle at a kebab shop on Railway Road, Darwen, involving Fielding, another man and the Dawsons.

Fielding came away the loser and as he left the scene he issued threats to the Dawsons

Mr Dawson then went home to Progress Street, Darwen. Fielding and another man went to Cosgrove's home to enlist his help to seek revenge on the Dawsons. Cosgrove was known to be a hard man.

At Progress Street, Fielding identified Mr Dawson, who was challenged to a fight.

Cosgrove stabbed him once to the chest, while Fielding held Mr Dawson's arm.

The two then fled.

Mark Stuart, for Cosgrove, said he wished to apologise to Mr Dawson and his family.

David Ackerley, defending Fielding, a fork-lift driver, said his client did not know Cosgrove had a knife." He also denied holding Mr Dawson's arm when he was stabbed.

Fielding had a two-year-old daughter and his wife was expecting their second child.

He was responsible for the mortgage on his own home and that of his parents.