A GUN-toting attacker who stabbed a man before waving the firearm around in a crowded Worcester street has been jailed for 10 years.

Judge David Matthews told Alex Warden his crimes were "appalling" and condemned his bid to dodge police by speeding through the city with his passenger door swinging open.

Warden's three-day crime spree started when he stabbed David Pace with a 12in carving knife in Avon Road, Tolladine, at 8.25pm on Wednesday, December 19.

Timothy Sapwell, prosecuting, told the court Warden pulled the knife out of his trousers after getting into a fight in the road with Mr Pace.

"The defendant lunged and put the knife into Mr Pace's abdomen," he said.

"There was a five-inch injury and Mr Pace could see some of his organs hanging out. Emergency surgery had to be carried out and Mr Pace had to be resuscitated."

Warden, aged 28, had disappeared when police arrived, but was spotted three days later in a car at the Whittington roundabout.

Officers tried to stop him, but he sped through the city before swinging into Broad Street and pointing the firearm at PC Ian Fielding.

PC Fielding tackled him, and discovered the weapon was a ballbearing air gun, designed to look like a Smith and Wesson handgun.

Warden, of Avon Road, Tolladine, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving and use of an imitation firearm to resist arrest.

Alan Parker, defending, said Warden accepted he had subjected Mr Pace to a terrifying and life-threatening attack, which could have killed him.

But he insisted Warden had been "threatened and intimidated" by Pace for 18 months, and simply could not take any more.

"Nothing can justify Warden's behaviour, but there was substantial provocation," he said.

"Mr Pace had gone to the address where Warden was. Warden did not arm himself and go looking for Mr Pace."

Judge Matthews told Warden he had "totally lost his temper and self control" and branded his crimes "appalling".

"The total sentence has to take into account the overall gravity of them," he said.

Warden was ordered to serve six-and-a-half years in prison for wounding with intent, 21 months for dangerous driving and 21 months for using an imitation firearm to resist arrest, to run consecutively.

He was also banned from driving for 10 years.