A have-a-go hero was stabbed three times trying to stop a yob slashing the tyres of a neighbour’s car in a Black Country street, a judge heard.

Mr Dipak Patel, aged 41, suffered a punctured lung when he was knifed in the chest by 18-year-old James Evans in School Street, Darlaston, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told yesterday.

The court heard it was purely “good fortune” that he was not more seriously hurt or even killed in the attack.

Evans was locked up for two-and-a-half years after admitting wounding, three charges of destroying property and possession of a bladed article.

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, said the incident happened when Mr Patel looked out of his window, saw two people acting suspiciously near a parked car and went to investigate.

“He thought they were up to no good and as he left the house he heard the sound of air rushing from a tyre,” he said.

“He challenged the two youths and they ran off but he managed to detain one of them.

“The other, who was the defendant, came back to try to free his friend.

“He took out the pocket knife with which he had just slashed the car tyre and stabbed Mr Patel three times causing injuries that more by chance were not life-threatening.” Mr Patel was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.

A statement from him read out in court said: “I do not feel able to go out alone at night any more and would never intervene to try to detain anybody again after what happened on this occasion.”

Evans had slashed car tyres on vehicles parked in the area twice in the fortnight before last September’s attack, the court heard.

Mr Jas Mann, defending, said his client was carrying a knife for personal protection following incidents of bullying sparked by his short stature.

The barrister said: “When Evans went back to help free his free his friend he was grabbed by Mr Patel and then used the knife. He was aiming at the arm that was holding him and merely wanted to make good the escape of himself and the other youth, which he did.”

The pair escaped but were later tracked down by police.

The second youth was not charged with any offence but Evans from Westfield Road, Bilston, pleaded guilty to the charge of wounding.

He was ordered to be detained in a young offenders institution for two and a half years by Judge Anwar Nawaz.

As he passed sentence, the judge told him: “It is only by dint of good fortune that the injuries of your victim were not more serious.

“The thrust of the blade could have proved fatal.”