A man who stabbed a Gravesend resident on their doorstep has been jailed for two and a half years.

Seth Sparks knocked on the door of a property in Nansen Road in Gravesend at around 10.30pm on Wednesday, February 20 (2019), and stabbed the man who answered in the chest.

Mr Sparks, a 46-year-old also from Gravesend, was caught by police walking away from the aftermath of the incident and arrested.

He pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm without intent and was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on July 18.

During his trial, the court were told how Mr Sparks knew the victim prior to stabbing him and had visited the property before the attack took place.

He later returned, knocking on the door and stabbing the occupant in the chest before walking away.

A sweep of the area by Kent Police and a dog team found a knife in a nearby garden that matched the description of the blade used in the stabbing.

Investigating officer, PC Martin Taylor said:

"Sparks’ willingness to use a knife on another person, who he knew had no opportunity to defend themselves, shows him to be a violent and dangerous offender.

"There can be no tolerance for those who choose to use, or carry, a knife and his immediate prison sentence is completely justified."