A man who stabbed his friend 12 times for locking him out of his flat has today (Friday) been jailed for 17 years for attempted murder. 

Craig Sutherland, 40, of Townsend Avenue, St Albans, repeatedly stabbed 46-year-old Verinder Rajput - better known as Vinnie - on the night of Monday, September 12, 2016.

On the night of the attack, Sutherland and Mr Rajput, who had known each other for more than a decade, had been drinking alcohol when an argument broke out.

During the attack inside Sutherland’s flat, his victim suffered 12 stab wounds to his back, neck, head, hands and torso.

Some of his vital organs were perforated and he also suffered a fractured jaw.

When officers arrived at the property, Sutherland barricaded himself in the living room. He was still armed with a knife and was threatening to cause further harm to his victim.

Officers forced entry into the flat and detained Sutherland who was kneeling over Mr Rajput with a knife in his hand.

Life-saving treatment was given to Mr Rajput at the scene by the emergency services, and he spent two months in hospital recovering.

Detective Inspector Pushpa Guild, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “When officers arrived at Sutherland’s flat he was threatening to cause further harm to his victim, and it was only the quick actions of officers and paramedics that saved Mr Rajput’s life.

“Today Mr Rajput continues to recover from the significant injuries he suffered at the hands of Sutherland.

“This lengthy sentence reflects the violent and sustained attack that was carried out by Sutherland.”

Sutherland appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday for sentencing, and was handed a 17 year prison sentence and a further five years on extended licence for attempted murder.

He was found guilty by a jury at the same court following a three week trial on Thursday, July 6.