A FORMER soldier who knifed an old school enemy has been jailed for three years, nine months.

Martin Cooke, who was on leave from the Royal Green Jackets when he attacked John Robb outside an Accrington club, left his victim with a two centimetre wound.

Burnley Crown Court heard Cooke had fallen out with his stepfather and girlfriend and how his army career was now in tatters.

Sentencing Cooke to three years and nine months in a youth offenders' institute, Judge Raymond Bennett said the defendant seemed to be against everybody and added Cooke was "lightly convicted."

Cooke, 18, of Devonshire Street, Accrington, was sent to a young offenders' institution, after admitting wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, last December.

The court heard Mr Robb walked two girls he had met at a nightclub to a taxi rank. As he was walking past Loco's on Blackburn Road, Accrington, the defendant leapt out and started flailing his arms. Mr Robb ran off, Cooke caught up with him and was armed with a large kitchen knife in his hand. Cooke tried to stab Mr Robb and a police van with two officers inside drew up. The defendant swang another blow, stabbing Mr Robb in the abdomen.

Cooke threw the knife over his shoulder, was handcuffed and put into the police van.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Cooke had been in the parachute regiment but had been transferred to the Royal Green Jackets after he fell out with his corporal. He had been on leave at the time of the attack and his career was now finished.

John Robb had been in the year above the defendant at school and they had had a fight. After the victim walked past him, Cooke accepted he ran after him and shouted: "John, let's sort it out."

He accepted he snapped and took the knife out. Fortunately, the injury was perhaps not the most serious.

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