A 22-year-old man was stabbed in the chest with a kitchen knife and suffered a collapsed lung after being lured to an area near some garages in Stowmarket, a court has heard.

Joseph Simonds went to Windermere Road on September 18 last year after receiving a telephone call and when he arrived he saw the man who had called him and then heard the sound of running, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

He found himself surrounded by a gang of up to 10 men and was kicked and punched all over his body, Mark Roochove, prosecuting, said.

As he tried to get to his feet Mr Simonds felt a blow to his back and realised he had been stabbed.

He was then thrown against a fence and saw 19-year-old Aaron Laflin holding a kitchen knife and 22-year-old Alexander Buckle brandishing a modelling knife.

He later told police the men had waved the knives in his face and he had been approached by another man who “jabbed” him in the chest with a screwdriver causing two puncture wounds.

Mr Simonds said that Buckle had then told him to drop his trousers and empty his pockets.

As a result of being stabbed with the kitchen knife by Laflin, Mr Simonds suffered a punctured lung and during the incident his mobile phone was stolen and his top, which was worth £30, was pulled off him and not recovered, said Mr Roochove.

Laflin, now 20, of Falcon Grove, Stowmarket, admitted wounding Mr Simonds with intent and was sentenced to 46 months’ detention in a young offenders’ institution. Buckle, of Kent Road, Stowmarket, admitted robbery and was jailed for two years.

Also before the court was Sheldon Lee, 22, of Falcon Grove, Stowmarket, who admitted affray and was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he will have to do 100 hours’ unpaid work in the community.

Charles Myatt, for Buckle, said his client believed Mr Simonds had been peddling drugs to children under the age of 16 and during the robbery he had taken drugs from Mr Simonds and flushed them down the toilet.

He said the modelling knife brandished by Buckle was a work tool and had not been deliberately taken by him to be used in the robbery.

Hugh Vass, for Laflin, said he understood that Mr Simonds was going to be “taught a lesson” and he hadn’t planned to stab him.

He said Laflin had carried a knife around with him for self- defence and fortunately Mr Simonds’ injury wasn’t more serious.

Ian James, for Lee, said his client accepted punching Mr Simonds twice in the chest.