A MAN who threatened to 'shank' his victim in the face before stabbing him has been jailed.

Joseph Hawkins, 23, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at Dorchester Crown Court.

The court heard his 22-year-old victim sustained 'serious injuries' after an altercation broke out in the beer garden of the White Hart pub in Weymouth.

At the time of the incident shocked shoppers and staff working in the area spoke about what they had witnessed. 

Hawkins was jailed for two years for GBH and also handed a nine-month prison sentence, to run concurrently, for possession of an offensive weapon.

The court heard that during the afternoon of Saturday, February 20 2016 the victim was drinking in the beer garden at the White Hart pub when the altercation broke out.

Hawkins was seen to punch his victim before brandishing a knife and threatening to 'shank him in the face'.

Hawkins and another man ran away from the scene and it was then the victim realised he had been stabbed in the stomach.

The court heard that 'shank' is believed to be a slang term for stab or knife.

Hawkins was located at his home address and was arrested.

Detective Constable Nick Gravenor, of Weymouth CID, said: "This was an unprovoked attack during a busy afternoon in the centre of Weymouth outside the White Hart.  

"The victim sustained serious injuries but has now made a full recovery.  

"I hope the sentence handed out by the courts sends out a very clear message that carrying knives and such violence will not be tolerated and offenders can expect to be jailed."