A MAN is back behind bars after stabbing a teenager less than three and a half months after being released from prison.

Rodney Barlow, 32, former Honda worker used a small pocket knife to inflict three wounds on his teenage victim after his brother got involved in a drunken fracas.

Prosecutor Stephen Dent told Swindon Crown Court that 18-year-old Russell Maynard and a friend had been talking to two teenage girls.

They were invited back to one of the girl's home to meet her father Darren Barlow, the older brother of the defendant.

"On this day Darren Barlow was extremely drunk and took exception to Russell Maynard saying he shouldn't be talking to or 'going out with', as he put it, with his daughter at 15," Mr Dent said.

He said that Darren followed Russell, who had gone home, entered his house and was abusive to the boy's stepfather.

Darren's brother Rodney then arrived on the scene and along with Russell was trying to calm them down. But the two of them also started to fight.

Mr Dent said: "Witnesses describe Barlow pulling a knife saying 'Do you want this knife round your throat, because I'll do it'."

During the scuffle, Barlow used the knife to stab him three times, causing two cuts to his chest and one to his arm, which needed stitches.

Barlow left the scene but was arrested soon after and admitted what he had done, showing police where he dumped the knife in a drain.

He told officers he had got the knife out to scare the teenager and said that he stabbed him because he wouldn't let him go.

Barlow, formerly of Buckhurst Crescent, Walcot, but now of Davis House, Turl Street, admitted a charge of wounding with intent.

Tim Hills, defending, said that his client had got involved in something that was not really his own problem.

The court heard that Barlow was jailed last year for 12 months with a two-year extended licence.

The new offence meant that he had been recalled to serve the remaining time.

Mr Hills said that meant he would be behind bars until the end of 2006 regardless of any new sentence.

The case was adjourned sentencing for pre-sentence reports.

Jamie Hill