A THUG ran over a man then got out of his vehicle to stab him – resulting in injuries so horrific the man had to have his leg amputated.

Christopher Foster’s ‘needless’ attack on Steven Parsonage stemmed from an argument involving the defendant’s ex-girlfriend, who was a friend of the victim, Preston Crown Court heard.

And despite the row being resolved, Foster decided to seek revenge upon Mr Parsonage by attacking him in Snowden Avenue, Blackburn.

Prosecuting, Francis McEntee explained how the defendant used his van as a weapon, ramming it into his victim and pinning him up against a wall.

He then got out of his vehicle with a knife and stabbed his victim in his already crushed leg.

Parsonage was later tracked down by police on the motorway. The incident, which took place in the early hours of May 15, was recorded by several neighbours who were woken by screaming and shouting.

Mr McEntee said: “Officers described how blood, bone and tissue was on view when they arrived. Mr Parsonage was screaming and had sustained devastating injuries to his left leg.

“In hospital it was established that he had no sensation in the top and sole of his foot. At that stage the damage was too severe to consider reconstruction and the initial view was amputation. That presented Mr Parsonage with a terrible decision that he did not initially consent to.

“However, on the 11th of May Mr Parsonage underwent a through knee amputation.”

The court heard the victim was ‘incredibly depressed’ and suffers from nightmares and phantom pains.

Defending Foster, of Holt Street West, Ramsbottom, who has long-standing drink and drug issues, Imran Shafi said his client was ‘deeply remorseful’.

He said: “He wishes to convey his genuine and heartfelt apologies to the victim.

“He is processing and trying to come to terms with the enormity of his actions. He has a history which is unattractive but there is nothing that comes close to the offending in this case.”

Mr Shafi went on to explain how on the day in question, the defendant had abusing alcohol and cocaine and it was the anniversary of his father’s death.

This, he concluded, resulted in the ‘reckless, compulsive and awful’ behaviour of the defendant.

Foster, originally charged with attempted murder, pleaded guilty to a lesser offence of wounding with intent at a previous hearing.

Sentencing Foster to a total term of 15 years – 11 in custody with a further four on licence – Judge Graham Knowles QC said: “There is, I think, some remorse in your case. Your own letter to me fits with that. The glare of having ruined this man’s life.

“I watched you throughout the hearing when the facts were opened and it seems to me while you intended very serious harm on the day, you are now in something of a state of shock of the devastation you have caused.”

Foster was also disqualified from driving for 16 years.

Det Con Nicola Mason, of East Police, said: “This was a terrifying incident which resulted in a horrific injury and a man losing his leg.

“The use of violence was extreme with a large van and a knife being used to attack the victim who, after he had been struck by the vehicle, was lying on the floor and begging his assailant to stop, pleas which were ignored by Foster.

“I am pleased he has seen fit to admit his guilt and the sentence handed down today reflects the gravity of the offending.”