POLICE have released a statement after an Alston man was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Saul Shepherd, 20, has been jailed after repeatedly stabbing a father in the street amid a simmering row over an unpaid £40 debt.

This followed an incident a few weeks earlier in which Shepherd had climbed through the man's window armed with a machete.

Detective Constable Lisa Atkinson, North Cumbria Crime and Safeguarding Team, said: “It was befitting that Mr Shepherd received a significant custodial sentence considering the offences he has committed.

"Both the incidents were targeted and callous.

“The actions of Shepherd were completely unacceptable and absolutely not the way of resolving any disputes.

"There is no place for violence and knife-related violence in Cumbria.

"These are offences that Cumbria Police will continue to relentlessly investigate and we will pursue all those who carry out these crimes.

“Thankfully, the victim is in the process of making a physical recovery but has had to receive significant medical treatment.

"Using a knife in a violent confrontation could easily result in the loss of someone’s life.

“There is no situation where the carrying a knife is a sensible choice as shown in this case.”

If you have been the victim of crime, of have information about an incident, please report it to police via www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit. Always dial 999 in an emergency.