A VIOLENT drug dealer who stabbed a man five times with a hunting knife has been jailed for 15 and a half years.

Harry Lomax, 22, stabbed his 29-year-old victim five times to the body in Ramshill Road, Scarborough, at 10.20pm on February 22, with what North Yorkshire Police called "a Rambo-style hunting knife".

Lomax, from Liverpool, fled the scene of the stabbing but was spotted and detained by PC Steven Normandale despite still being in possession of the hunting knife and a second, smaller, lock knife.

The victim, a local man, required emergency treatment at Hull Royal Infirmary and is now recovering, but police could not confirm the extent of his injuries.

Following Lomax's arrest, police carried out an investigation which confirmed he was involved in dealing crack cocaine and heroin in Scarborough, travelling regularly to the are from Liverpool.

He was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two counts of possessing an offensive weapon - the hunting knife and a lock knife - two counts of possessing class A drugs - crack cocaine and heroin – with intent to supply, and possession of cannabis.

Detective Constable James Temple, of the Scarborough and Ryedale Serious Crime Team, was the investigating officer and spoke after Lomax pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court yesterday and was sentenced to 15 ½ years’ imprisonment.

Det Con Temple said: "I welcome the lengthy prison sentence handed to Harry Lomax for this extremely violent attack. It also sends a stark warning to other drug dealers who enter Scarborough who are prepared to come armed with weapons and use violence.

"The conviction was due to the hard work of all involved, but particularly the officers who attended the incident on the night and secured the evidence. In doing so, they played a key role in protecting the wider public from further harm. I especially praise PC Normandale who put himself in harm’s way to arrest the suspect who was armed and clearly intent on violence."