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A killer who stabbed his friend in the heart has started a ten-year jail term.

Carlton Pollock stabbed Lance Gregory with a knife he “habitually” carried for his own protection, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

The 24-year-old victim had been due to meet a mutual friend for a “straightener” after they rowed at a party.

But Pollock arrived instead and stabbed Mr Gregory in a “moment of anger”.

Jailing him, Judge William Davis QC said he accepted Pollock’s “deep shame and remorse” for killing his close friend.

But the judge told him: “I am satisfied that, immediately before you used the knife, you deliberately took it out in a moment of anger and thrust it forward.

“The serious thing is that you were carrying a knife and went somewhere where violence was at least possible.

“You knew Mr Gregory was waiting to have a fight with somebody. You habitually carried a knife, as you told the jury, for your own protection.

“That is the reason why this is a case of significant seriousness.”

The judge said he had also read a “heartbreaking” statement from the victim’s mother.

Mr Gregory, a road safety worker, was stabbed with a kitchen knife outside a shopping parade in Craig Croft, Chelmsley Wood, in the early hours of November 11 last year.

Pollock, 25, of Moorend Avenue, Chelmsley Wood, was cleared of his murder but convicted of manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday.

Michael Duck QC, defending, said Pollock had used the knife in a bid to frighten Mr Gregory off and had not intended to kill him.

Detectives called the stabbing a “cowardly” act and said Pollock “betrayed” his former friend.

Det Sgt Harry May said: ‘‘I hope this conviction sends out a message about the tragic consequences of carrying and using a knife.’’