A MAN from Northwich has been jailed for four years after he stabbed a stranger at Winsford train station on New Year's Eve.

Aaron Grannell, 27, of Heber Walk, admitted the unprovoked attack, which left his victim needing emergency surgery, and was jailed at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, April 7.

The court heard how the victim had become involved in an argument with a group of girls who were travelling on a train to Winsford with Grannell on December 31 last year.

The row started when a beer can thrown by one of the girls hit him in the face.

The argument had finished by the time the train arrived at Winsford station and both parties left the train at 9.10pm

As the victim made his way to the station entrance to be picked up, he saw Grannell, who had run across the tracks and was about to confront him. Fearing an attack, he ran to a stranger who was getting in his van and asked him to get him away from the station.

As he struggled to open the van door, Grannell ran across the station car park and launched his attack, rugby tackling his victim to the ground.

A fight ensued until the victim broke free and was driven away by the van driver.

The victim discovered he had been stabbed rather than punched when he arrived at his girlfriend's home.

Grannell later attended hospital following a British Transport Police media appeal and claimed he was depressed due to his involvement in the stabbing and was arrested.

Investigating officer DC Mark Douglas, from the British Transport Police, said: "This was a completely unprovoked and vicious attack which is reflected in the severity of the sentence handed down to Grannell.

"The injuries caused by Grannell resulted in his victim requiring emergency surgery.

"Thankfully, a stranger came to the victim’s aid and managed to drive him away, otherwise these injuries could have been far worse.

"All staff and passengers have the right to travel on the rail network without fear of violence.

"Thankfully incidents of violence like this are rare but when they do occur British Transport Police will act swiftly and robustly to bring offenders before the courts.

"Grannell has now been brought to justice and is paying the price for this mindless act of violence."