A man with mental health difficulties who stabbed a housemate twice, leaving him with a collapsed lung, has been jailed for just under three years.

Ryan Brooks was drunk when he suddenly attacked Stephen Griffin at their home in Chatham on November 18 last year.

Brooks, now of Churchill Road, Gravesend, denied unlawful wounding but was convicted by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court.

He was acquitted of the more serious offence of wounding with intent.

Prosecutor Clare Dowse said Mr Griffin suffered two stab wounds and had difficulty in breathing. His problems were ongoing.

Brooks, 42, lashed out with the knife after shouting about food and money.

“Mr Griffin was used to your behaviour and viewed you as a friend,” Judge Philip St John-Stevens said when sentencing Brooks to two years and 10 months at Maidstone Crown Court.

“He was asking what was wrong. You struck him, not using the knife. He was concerned for his safety and had a chair.

“He turned to walk back to his room and at that point you stabbed him twice, once to the neck and then to the shoulder blade, shouting you were going to kill him.

“Your victim has since suffered ill-health and post traumatic stress. He has lost his home. He had a lung infection. He had a collapsed lung which was potentially life-threatening.”

The judge said he accepted Brooks was drunk on cider and hearing voices at the time.

Abdul Rouf, defending, said Brooks had suffered from mental health issues for a number of years. When released, he could live with his brother at the Gravesend address.

Brooks had already served the equivalent of a 10-month sentence on remand.