A PENSIONER who plunged a knife into a man's neck during a street row has been jailed for seven years.

David Broady, a 71 year old grandfather who once earned his living as a boxer and club bouncer, was described at Manchester Crown Court as a 'gentle giant' who loved to help his neighbours.

But a judge said courts were being encouraged by the Court of Appeal and the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, to reduce knife crime and that could only be brought about by deterrent sentences.

Judge Anthony Gee said: "This court has always sought to make it clear that the carrying and use of lethal weapons in the streets will not be tolerated and only substantial sentences can follow whatever the personal circumstances of the offender."

He told Broady the victim, 25-year-old Craig Douglas, may have been making a nuisance of himself during the incident but he did not deserve to be stabbed.

He said: "What is necessary is that I mark this grave offence involving the carrying and the use of a knife not only to punish you for causing the death of another human being but to deter others."

Broady, of Victoria Square, Oldham Road, Ancoats, who worked as a steel erector until he retired, had been cleared of murdering Mr Douglas but was convicted of his manslaughter after a six-day trial.

The victim, a known drug user, bled to death when he was stabbed in the throat during the incident at the junction of Canal Street and Minshull Street near Piccadilly station.

Broady fled from the scene and got rid of the knife which he had been carrying round for six years after claiming he had been beaten and kicked by thugs.

He then left a note for his former wife and left Manchester but he later contacted police and claimed he was acting in self-defence after Mr Douglas ran at him with his hands raised.

But Judge Gee said Broady, who lived in sheltered housing, was 'not frail or timid' and his strength and fitness level were more consistent with a much younger man.

After the case the senior investigating officer Vinny Chadwick, said it was a tragic incident which started as a row but ended in the death of a young man.

He said: "Broady admitted he was carrying a knife and he must have known the consequences of using that weapon, consequences that resulted in Craig's death. I hope that today's conclusion is of some comfort to the family and gives them closure".