Knife-throwing killer jailed for nine years

A man who killed his girlfriend's former partner by throwing a knife at him through a car window has been jailed for nine years.
John Buchanan who has been jailed for nine years at Canterbury Crown Court after he killed his girlfriend's former partner, Michael Ward, by throwing a knife at him through a car window. Photo credit: Kent Police/PA WireJohn Buchanan who has been jailed for nine years at Canterbury Crown Court after he killed his girlfriend's former partner, Michael Ward, by throwing a knife at him through a car window. Photo credit: Kent Police/PA Wire
John Buchanan who has been jailed for nine years at Canterbury Crown Court after he killed his girlfriend's former partner, Michael Ward, by throwing a knife at him through a car window. Photo credit: Kent Police/PA Wire

John Buchanan was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday after the blade he threw at Michael Ward severed a main artery in his thigh, Kent Police said.

The 40-year-old, also known as Archie, collapsed in Ramsgate on June 18 last year.

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Buchanan, 22, handed himself in five hours later but stood trial when he denied murder. A jury found him guilty of manslaughter in January.

He was at a barbecue when Mr Ward arrived outside the house in his car. The pair argued and Buchanan was heard threatening to stab Mr Ward, police said.

When he got back into his car, Buchanan emerged from the house and threw the knife, which went through the open car window.

He drove off but got out of the car shortly afterwards and collapsed from his injury on a driveway nearby.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Tristan Kluibenschadl said Buchanan showed "little remorse" and did not seem to care the incident took place in front of families and children.