A man who challenged another man over his swearing was stabbed seven times.

A MAN who remonstrated with angry Paul Wakefield over the language he was using on his mobile phone was stabbed seven times and will be scarred for life, a court heard.

Wakefield, 35, was jailed for seven and a half years for the attack.

Judge Richard Foster told him at Luton Crown Court: “You were in an agitated and anxious state of mind but you had no justification whatsoever for doing what you did to this man.

“These were life-threatening injuries and you are very fortunate not to be before the court on a charge of murder.

“He has the most appalling scarring to his body which he will have to suffer for the rest of his life.”

Wakefield was originally charged with attempting to murder Matthew Home on September 5 last year.

But he pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and that was accepted by the prosecution.

Peter Shaw, prosecuting, said Wakefield was in the garden of his partner’s home in Wansbeck Close, Great Ashby, Stevenage having an argument with someone on his phone.

“It was loud, abusive and threatening and Mr Home and his family could hear it next door and he objected to the language being used.

“He tried to remonstrate with him and then climbed over the fence. He was not armed. There was a scuffle during which he sustained seven stab wounds the consequences of which were very serious.”

Mr Shaw said the victim had a great deal of surgery and lost a lot of blood. He has suffered mental trauma, pain and considerable scarring. The uncertainty over whether he would have to give evidence had caused further distress, he said.

Wakefield, of Fetlock Close, Clapham, Bedford fled the scene and was tracked by a helicopter and arrested.

Charles Judge, defending Wakefield, said: “The events leading up to this are slightly out of the ordinary. He was on the phone having a heated altercation when the victim entered the garden belonging to his partner, which resulted in the scuffle.

“He is making very constructive use of his time in custody and there will be no repeat of such behaviour.”