A MAN who stabbed a pubgoer in a ‘violent and unprovoked attack’ in Stretford has been sentenced to ten years behind bars.

Kevin Matley, 37, of Railway Road, Stretford, attacked a 42-year-old man outside the Melville pub, in Barton Road, on September 20 2014.

The victim was sitting with friends outside the pub when Matley came up to the group. Matley put his hands on the shoulders of the victim’s friend and made threatening comments towards her.

As the victim stood up to intervene, Matley punched him in the face and knocked him to the floor. When the victim got up, Matley left.

More than 20 minutes later Matley returned to the pub and stabbed the same man in the abdomen.

The man was taken to hospital where he was treated for a stab wound.

Matley fled but was later arrested and remanded into custody.

He was found guilty of section 18 assault following a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court and sentenced to ten years in prison on Wednesday April 20.

Detective Sergeant Rachel Smith of Trafford division said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack on a man, who has been permanently scarred by this assault and it is just fortunate that his injuries were not worse.

“Matley used a level of violence that is simply not acceptable and even afterwards he tried to evade police.

“I hope today’s sentence shows that if you commit a violence crime we will pursue you and justice will be done.”