A MAN has been jailed for almost four years after he stabbed a 14-year-old boy in a dispute over stolen lead.

Richard Skelhorn, 23, of Fairbourne Drive, Timperley, plunged a four-inch knife through his victim's school uniform and into his stomach as he sat next to him on the settee.

Manchester Crown Court heard Skelhorn had befriended local children to help him steal lead flashing and threatened to beat them up if they did not.

He attacked the victim on 12 November last year after a dispute when some of the stolen material went missing.

The teenager was taken to Wythenshawe hospital where he was treated for internal bleeding and has since made a full recovery.

After the stabbing Skelhorn stole a car from a nearby house but was arrested a short time later when he crashed into a parked van. During his arrest he smashed the window of a police vehicle.

Det Insp Bob Tonge, from Stretford CID, said: "Skelhorn is a nasty individual who befriended these kids and used bullying tactics to force them to do his dirty work.

"When things didn't go his way and one of the boys objected to getting involved in stealing, he stabbed him viciously.

"Thankfully the boy has made a full recovery, but it could have been much worse. Skelhorn had no regard whatsoever for the boy - fleeing from the scene and leaving it to two other 14-year-old boys to call for help."

Skelhorn pleaded guilty to section 18 wounding, theft of lead, aggravated vehicle taking, criminal damage to a police vehicle and drink driving. He was sentenced to 45 months imprisonment.