Anthony Davis

A man who was stabbed in the chest outside a Preston social club has spoken of his fears he could have died had it not been for the grace of God and his own quick thinking.

Paul Andrew suffered an eight inch wound to his chest when he was stabbed by his friend Anthony Davis, 32, outside Jalgos Sports and Social Club on June 13.

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Reeling from the shock of being attacked, Mr Andrew stemmed the bleeding and made his way to Church Street where a police officer called for an ambulance.

But when the paramedics arrived they were unable to take him to Royal Preston Hospital as the emergency department was already dealing with a stabbing incident – and Mr Andrew was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Davis, of Birkdale Drive, Savick, was jailed for 20 months after pleading guilty to wounding Mr Andrew.

How they met

Preston Crown Court heard the two men had met a few weeks earlier and had become friends but on June 13 Mr Andrew was standing outside Jalgos, smoking a cigarette, when Davis walked past.

The pair started talking but when the conversation turned to talk of the paternity of a mutual friend’s child, Davis became aggressive and asked Mr Andrew to step into the street.

Without warning, Davis struck a single blow to Mr Andrew’s chest, but as Mr Andrew held his hand up he realised he was bleeding.

He used clothing to stem the flow of blood and made his way to Church Street to call for help.

Unsure of safety

He said: “It was only my actions and the grace of God that stopped me dying that night.

“I am left with a feeling of complete terror as I know deep inside myself that on that night, under the cover of dark and black an attack nearly took me away from this life and my three loving children.

“I feel unsure of my safety in this city – I was born here and I was brought up here.

“What this man did to me with his knife needed immediate professional help from experts that were some miles away. This alone lets me know that I was blessed by God that night.”

Davis asked his lawyer to express his deep remorse to his victim, stating he had been feeling guilty for the five months since the incident.

He has previously served a five year sentence for possession of a handgun but the court heard since his release from prison he has been living a crime free life and has become a regular attender at his local church.

Judge Ian Leeming said: “Your victim finds it almost incredible that he would suddenly be attacked in this vicious way.”