Paul Foster's victim Steven Mann tried to flee the scene of the attack that saw him left with several knife wounds, but he collapsed in the street outside a neighbour's home covered in blood.

Foster was jailed for the attack by a judge who warned him he could face an indefinite jail sentence for public protection if he is found to commit any further similar offences.

Teesside Crown Court heard Foster knifed Mr Mann following an exchange on social-networking website Facebook.

Foster, 24, turned up at Mr Mann's home in Hartlepool with a gang of friends when he launched the vicious attack. The court heard Foster first threw punches at Mr Mann, 25, who tried to fend him off with a broom handle.

Mr Mann was then cut several times in his head and neck with a knife which caused "horrific" injuries during the attack on September 12.

The court heard that witnesses saw a blood-soaked Mr Mann stagger along the street before he collapsed outside a neighbour's house.

Foster, of Lizard Walk, Hartlepool, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was jailed for four years.

Judge Peter Armstrong told Foster that any further similar offence would lead to an indefinite jail sentence to protect the public.

Richard Parsell, prosecuting, described the injuries as horrific, but said no main arteries, nerves or tendons were cut.

Robin Denny, in mitigation, said: "I have to accept readily that he is a cause of some considerable concern.

"Drink has played a significant part."