A man has been jailed for four years for seriously assaulting a man in Portsmouth.

Hampshire Police were called at 12.32pm on Wednesday 5 February, to a report that a 53-year-old man had been seriously assaulted by another man on Kingston Road, near to Kingston Crescent, in Portsmouth.

Emergency services attended and the man was taken to hospital for treatment for a life-threatening knife injury to his stomach.

Following an investigation by the Eastern Criminal Investigations Department, Gary Baldacchino (40) of London Road, Portsmouth was arrested and charged with wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

A jury found Baldacchino guilty of the offences following a trial in August and he appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday 25 November.

He was sentenced to four years imprisonment and handed an extended licence period of one year.

Portsmouth Chief Inspector Sam Warne said, “Baldacchino is a dangerous individual and I am glad to see him behind bars for this violent attack, which he committed in a busy public area in broad daylight.

“This was understandably a very concerning incident for the community and I am glad that we have taken someone who poses a risk to the public off of the streets.

“I hope this sentence sends a clear message to those who choose to carry a knife or commit acts of serious violence in our City that we will not tolerate this behaviour. You will be pursued and you will be brought before the courts.

“We work closely with partners to manage individuals at risk of reoffending, identifying those who have been involved with knife-related offences and providing opportunities for engagement and diversion, pursuing prosecution and enforcement when appropriate”.