A 24-year-old convicted of stabbing a former friend in a brutal attack was yesterday jailed for 11 years.

Joshua Jeffrey Wolffe was found guilty in October of stabbing Kevon Albouy in the back six times, during a fight on July 10 last year.

His co-accused, Steven Jireh Iris and Leshaun Tony Scott, admitted to lesser offences in connection with the incident.

As a result, the Crown chose not to pursue charges of attempted murder against them.

Yesterday Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves sentenced Iris, 20, to five years for his role in the attack. Scott, 20, was imprisoned for four years. They both received a further three years' probation.

Mr. Justice Greaves told Iris and Scott: "[Wolffe] is not your friend. He is a Pied Piper who would lead you to your destruction.

"If you follow Wolffe or people like Wolffe, your fate will be calamity."

Wolffe, of Cockburn Road, Sandys, was also found guilty of having a bladed article in a public place, wilful damage to a car and two charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Iris, of Radnor Road, Hamilton Parish, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and being in possession of a metal chain and padlock.

Scott, of Middle Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

During the Supreme Court trial, Mr. Albouy said the violence began after he stopped his car near Scott's home near Five Star Island, to wait for the men.

He said he considered them as friends and was talking with Scott through the driver's side window when he suddenly tried to pull the keys from the car's ignition and began punching him.

Iris then tried to pull Mr. Albouy out of the car through the passenger door and Wolffe climbed into the back seat.

Mr. Albouy was then stabbed in the back.

He attempted to escape the attack by running along Middle Road, but the three men beat him in the street.

In addition to the stab wounds, Mr. Albouy suffered a cut to his scalp which required three stitches and abrasions throughout his body.

Wolffe's lawyer, Larry Scott, said that all three men should receive similar sentences. "Had they all gone to trial, they would all have been found guilty of the same thing," he argued.

Elizabeth Christopher and Charles Richardson, representing Iris and Scott respectively, said Wolffe was the leader of the group.

Both Iris and Scott apologised to the court but Wolffe declined to comment.

Mr. Justice Greaves said: "You have no remorse, which combined with your ability to lie like you did in your trial, makes you a real danger to anyone you decide is not compatible with your interests."

Wolffe was sentenced to ten years for attempted murder. He was sentenced to an additional year for attempting to pervert the course of justice. The sentences are to run consecutively.