A FATHER who stabbed a man with near fatal consequences during a violent confrontation outside his home was starting a nine month jail sentence today.

Joseph Locke, aged 30, left Stephen Bravender with a punctured liver when the victim followed him home after an afternoon in the Ellesmere pub, Liverpool Road, Eccles.

Bravender -- described in court as a "bully and a nuisance" -- wanted to have it out with Locke after they clashed while watching a football match on TV.

He tracked Locke back to his home then began issuing threats on his doorstep.

Locke, who had retreated inside, armed himself with a lock knife and went outside, stabbing Bravender twice in the chest.

The 32-year old was in a coma for several days and was saved by surgery.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Locke, now of Huxley Street, Halliwell, initially denied wounding.

But he changed his plea to guilty during his trial after being cross examined by the prosecution.

Judge Jonathan Geake told Locke: "I have no doubt Bravender is a nuisance, a bully and a man of violence.

"But nothing can excuse you going outside your house armed with a knife and plunging it into his chest. He suffered a very serious injury and it is fortunate skilled and experience surgeons saved his life."

Graham Campbell, defending, said Locke had been rebuilding his character after getting a criminal record as a juvenile.

He said, although Locke had used excessive force and behaved with "extreme stupidity", Bravender had brought the matter upon himself.