A pensioner who stabbed a man in the neck in Manchester city centre has been jailed.

David Broady, aged 69, of Victoria Court, Victoria Square, Manchester, was jailed for seven years at Manchester Crown Square Court.

Broady was convicted at an earlier hearing of the manslaughter of 25-year-old Craig Douglas in Manchester's Gay Village on Monday 25 February 2008.

At 7.30pm that evening, police were informed that a man had been stabbed in the neck on Canal Street close to its junction with Minshull Street and Aytoun Street. Officers and ambulance crews attended and found Craig lying on the floor with a single stab wound to his neck.

He was taken to the Manchester Royal Infirmary but died soon after his arrival. A post-mortem examination later revealed he died of a single stab wound to the neck from a weapon about 6cm to 8cm in length.

A short time after the incident, a man approached police officers at the murder scene, accompanied by two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and identified himself as a witness.

The witness told officers that earlier that evening, he and Broady were talking on Canal Street when Craig and another man approached them.

Craig and his friend had earlier been drinking in a pub and had been asking people for cigarettes.

Craig asked Broady and his friend for a cigarette and when they refused and walked off, Craig followed them and a heated confrontation between Craig and Broady broke out. Broady then lashed out as if trying to punch Craig who was then heard shouting: 'What have you done to my neck?' Broady and his friend ran off and although Craig tried to go after them, he collapsed. As he lay dying he pleaded with his friend to call for an ambulance.

On Wednesday 27 February 2008, police identified Broady as the offender. Officers discovered he had left sheltered accommodation on Oldham Road in Ancoats that day and told staff he was not coming back.

Between that date and Broady's arrest on 2 March 2008, he telephoned his estranged wife and admitted he lashed out at Craig because he feared he was going to be beaten up. He also sounded depressed and indicated he may commit suicide, so, fearing for his safety, she contacted police and every effort was made to find him.

Shortly before 1.30pm on Sunday 2 March 2008, Broady called police and arrangements were made to arrest him.

During his interview, Broady gave a prepared statement claiming he acted in self-defence. He was taken back to the scene where he claimed he disposed of the weapon but it has never been found.

Vinny Chadwick, Senior Investigating Officer in this case, said: "This was a tragic case which started out as an argument and ended with the death of a young man.

"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."

Chief Inspector Bob Lomas, from GMP's North Manchester division, said: "What I want to stress about this case is that although the attack took place in the Gay Village, sexuality was not an issue and this was not a homophobic attack. The Gay Village is a very safe place to work and visit and we have an excellent relationship with the community and the businesses. This sort of tragic incident could have happened anywhere.

"However, this should not detract from the terrible loss that Craig's family have suffered."