A MAN who stabbed his neighbour in an unprovoked attack has been jailed for nine years.

Oliver O’Neill, 45, left friend Christopher Griffin needing surgery after the attack in Beaconsfield Road, Wick.

Sentencing at Hove Crown Court, Judge Shani Barnes said a psychiatrist had diagnosed O’Neill with a psychotic disorder but he made his mental health worse by alcohol abuse.

O’Neill pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm on the day his trial was due to start on September 1.

Mr Griffin had come to see O’Neill on the evening of the attack and the pair ended up getting some lager and Mr Griffin fell asleep.

He awoke to find O'Neill standing over him and asking him to wake up.

When he got up to go, O’Neill grabbed a knife, stabbing him in the stomach, leg and neck as he opened the front door.

Mr Griffin went back to his own flat in shock and called an ambulance.

Police found a carving knife with blood on the end in O’Neill’s flat.

Ms Kelly said he wanted his friend to get psychiatric help but supported the prosecution to protect others.

Judge Barnes jailed him for nine years plus an extended five-year period on licence, saying he posed a danger to the public.

Judge Barnes said it was the third time he had wounded with a knife.