A knifeman shouted ‘give me everything you've got’ before stabbing a man in the chest when he was trying to rob an alleged drug dealer.
Sean Derbyshire was initially facing an attempted murder charge but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of wounding with intent midway through his trial.
The 40-year-old, who has a long history of violence, also left his victim with a broken leg after attacking the man twice in two hours, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Judge Francis Laird KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, sentenced Derbyshire to 15 years in prison with three years on extended licence for the attempted robbery and wounding with intent.
“You confronted the victim, once again demanding that he hand over money. You then stabbed him to the chest, you left the knife at the scene and fled,” he said.
The victim suffered a stab wound causing internal bleeding and required emergency surgery after his liver was lacerated.
Judge Laird added: “The surgeon was of the opinion that the fact that the injuries were non-fatal was a matter of pure chance.”
The court heard how Derbyshire had initially turned up at an address on Danes Crest, Brompton, near Northallerton, at 6am on the morning of December 30 last year and was let in.
He then pulled out a knife and threatened a man whilst demanding he hand over money.
Other people in the house managed to force Derbyshire outside but he returned two-hours later armed with a metal poll and tried to smash his way into the property.
Derbyshire managed to get inside and shouted: "Give me everything you've got" at the man before stabbing him in the chest.
Judge Laird said: “In addition to the obvious injuries and scars, the offences have had a severe phycological impact on the victim.
“He is now living at his mother’s home, is not working and feels like he can’t socialise with others.”
The court heard how Derbyshire had 54 convictions for 128 offences, including robbery, assault, affray and possession of a bladed article.
Andrew Stranex, mitigating, said the death of his client’s father last summer had an impact on his life and he lapsed back into drug use and drinking alcohol.
He said: “What happened that day, is something that he is going to have to live with for a significant period of time.”
Mr Stranex said he had taken crack cocaine with the victim before the altercation over money took place.
Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Hannah Kelly, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Derbyshire is an extremely dangerous individual who forced entry into a home and carried out a vicious and unprovoked attack in the early hours of December 30 2024.
“The victim sustained multiple injuries, including a stab wound to the chest. He is incredibly lucky to be alive - this could easily have had a far more tragic outcome.
“There is absolutely no place for violent offenders like Derbyshire on the streets of North Yorkshire. His actions posed a serious risk to the public and caused significant concern among residents, including families with young children.”
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