A prolific violent offender in Bristol was branded a danger to the public as he was jailed for a multiple stabbing.

Jagieven Singh Gill, of Boucher Place, St Werburgh's, was sent to prison for four years – plus one year on licence – for his 14th violent crime and 73rd criminal offence.

The 26-year-old former crack cocaine user, who was jailed previously for attacking his mum and breaking her wrist, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Ivan Francis last December.

Prosecuting, Julian Howells said Gill and Francis would often lend each other money and had a dispute over a £10 debt, which both believed was owed to them by the other.

On December 12, the pair were in Francis's flat in Brook Street, St Werburgh's, with several other acquaintances as their arguing began to escalate.

Bristol Crown Court heard that as they clashed – both armed with knives from the kitchen – Gill stabbed Francis once in the chest, twice in the left arm and once in the hand. He walked to Bristol Royal Infirmary where he was treated with eight stitches in total.

Gill admitted GBH on the grounds that Francis had picked up a knife first and he feared he was going to attack him but Francis said Gill was the aggressor.

The court heard Gill had a long list of previous convictions – 72 offences including 13 "offences against the person".

They included assaults, affray, possessing offensive weapons and GBH against his mother in 2004, when he pushed her up against a wall, holding her wrists, causing one of them to fracture.

The pair have since reconciled and Gill once again lives with her, the court heard.

Mitigating, James Tucker said a psychiatric report had diagnosed Gill with paranoid personality and dissocial personality disorders (a type of psychopathic disorder) made worse by his use of crack.

"Mercifully, the injuries were slight," said Mr Tucker, of his defendant's latest offence. He said Gill was now on medication that was helping him with his mental problems.

Sentencing, Judge Julian Lambert said despite abiding by a curfew whilst on bail, Gill was still a "grave risk to the public".

Acting Detective Sergeant Sam Donati, of Bristol CID, said: "We are pleased with the sentence, which reflects the severity and potential consequences of this incident. The victim has continuing effects from his injuries, caused by an indiscriminate act of severe violence."