A York father was starting five years behind bars this afternoon after he stabbed another man in a row over bullying allegations involving their children.

Anthony William Booth, 42, of Rockingham Avenue, Tang Hall, admitted carrying out the attack on Kevin Teasdale in June of this year.

It is the latest in a string of convictions for Booth for violent offences dating back to 1976.

Booth went to confront Mr Teasdale after the latter had been engaged in a row with Booth's wife, with both claiming their children were being bullied by the other's.

Mr Teasdale was stabbed in the legs by Booth, who had to be pulled off by Mrs Booth.

At York Crown Court, Judge Paul Hoffman sentenced Booth to four years in prison for the attack, and also gave him eight months for committing the offence while a suspended jail sentence was hanging over him.

Booth will also have to serve another 126 days to finish off a sentence he was already serving in the community, after receiving early release for another offence.

Judge Hoffman described Booth's past record of convictions for violent crime as "appalling".

Diane Campbell, prosecuting, said that following the attack, Mr Teasdale "had to be off work for two weeks.

"He says his family life has changed dramatically and he is now scared and frightened to stay at home on his own."

For Booth, Robert Collins conceded the attack was "appalling", but said that Booth had suffered violence at the hands of his father during his childhood.

He said: "As a result of his childhood experiences, he is very sensitive to the welfare of his children."

He said that Booth had "uncontrollable temper fits" for which he had been receiving treatment as an out-patient at Bootham Park Hospital.

Mr Collins said: "He has a happy, stable family life. He has been married for 14 years."

He added that the attack "cannot be excused but it can be understood."