Man jailed for knifing ex-friend

A 27-year-old Telford man has been given an indeterminate prison sentence, after knifing his former "best mate" in the neck, leaving him with a 10-inch wound, at his stepfather's wake.

Kenneth Popham suffered the wound below his right ear and was "extremely lucky" to have survived the attack by Michael Port, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard today.

Port's three-inch blade missed Mr Popham's jugular by one or two millimetres in the attack at The Nedge Hill Social Club.

Port, of Beedles Close, Brookside, previously denied attempted murder but admitted at an earlier hearing wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mr Max Bennett, prosecuting, said Port developed an "immense dislike" for Mr Popham while he served a prison sentence for firearms offences.

The court heard Port had travelled to Telford following the "tragic death" of his stepfather, Charlie Baker, six weeks after being released from prison.

The family agreed that Mr Popham, the partner of Mr Baker's daughter Geraldine, should attend the church service on November 6 last year and Port would go to the wake. However, a message was sent to Mr Popham during the wake, telling him his partner was upset.

He went to the social club and Miss Baker described Port running up behind Mr Popham. She then saw blood around her partner's throat.