He fled to the north of England after stabbing a man in the street in Gloucester in broad daylight in an unprovoked attack.

But police caught up with the 23-year-old and he was brought back to the city to face trial at its crown court.

Elson Braka, of Barton Street, initially denied ever having a knife, but eventually pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

He stabbed a man in his thirties in his abdomen during the incident in India Road, off Barton Street, on Sunday, June 9.

The court hear how he then fled the scene to be arrested in Bolton on Wednesday, June 12, before being charged and remanded in custody.

Detective Constable Chris Boon said: "This was an unprovoked attack that occurred in broad daylight in a residential area of Gloucester.

"The victim sustained serious injuries but has thankfully made a full recovery.

"Elson Braka initially claimed that he was the one that was assaulted and denied ever having a knife, he later changed his plea to guilty because of the weight of evidence against him.

"The length of the sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime, it also reflects the country's contempt for knife crime and is a warning to anyone considering carrying or using a knife."