A LONER smiled at his neighbour moments before stabbing him in the chest.

After the terrifying attack by 61-year-old Whitehaven man Gerard Murphy, victim Ian O'Fee had to be airlifted to hospital for emergency treatment.

At Carlisle Crown Court earlier this year, Murphy admitted carrying out the attack outside the two men's homes in Brakeside Gardens, Whitehaven, and a judge gave him a chance to stay out of jail provided he abide by conditions of a deferred sentence.

But Murphy failed to cooperate with the Probation Service officials given the job of helping him.

He was jailed for a year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the two men had been neighbours for three years and initially got on well.

But the relationship deteriorated after “strange behaviour" by Murphy.

At 9.30 pm on May 21 Mr O’Fee, 43, was outside his home and saw Murphy sitting on his own doorstep, sipping tea.

Murphy shouted: "hey ho. Your son’s in jail.They should throw the key away. You should be in a cell next to him."

Mr O'Fee replied that Murphy should be in jail, suggesting there was something wrong with him, said Frank Dillon, prosecuting.

The barrister described how at 3 pm that day Mr O’Fee was in his front garden using his hose pipe and he saw Murphy walking towards him, with a knife in his hand.

Mr Dillon said: “The defendant shouted: 'It’s not my fault your son is in jail’ and held it in front in of him pointing it at him and smiling.”

Mr O’Fee asked Murphy if he was going to stab him, believing his neighbour was making empty threats.

“But then the defendant thrust the knife in his right hand towards his chest area about ten times and towards his ribs and face on a significant number of occasions,” said Mr Dillon.

“He was completely silent, showing no emotion and walked off calmly.”

The frightening incident was seen by other neighbours, including a woman with a young child.

Murphy earlier admitted an assault causing actual bodily harm and having a bladed article in a public place.

The court heard that he has a previous conviction for possessing a bladed article and automatically faced a minimum six month jail term.

Jamie Baxter, defending, said:“He has a socially isolated life style with few friends. He started drinking at the age of 14 and while he does not drink to excess he drinks regularly.” Murphy's issues included gambling, and he had suffered depression.

Judge Brian Cummings, QC, said Murphy had squandered the opportunity he was given to be helped.

The judge imposed a five year restraining order on Murphy to prevent him contacting his victim or going to Brakeside Gardens.