A 35-year-old Cinderford man who barged into couple's a home, stabbed a man in the back and stole around £100 cash last September has been jailed for three years today. James Taplin, of High Street, Cinderford, had been remanded in custody after his arrest for the attack but was then released from prison in error and spent four weeks on the run before being re-arrested in Torquay and sent back to Exeter prison. At Gloucester Crown Court in February, Taplin pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Paul Buxton on September 22 in Coleford and stealing a quantity of cash on the same date. Prosecutor Jack Barros said that Mr Buxton and his partner Sasha Hogg were at their Tufthorn Avenue home in Coleford when Taplin knocked on the door at 11.30pm and effectively barged in. “Mr Buxton, who knew of Taplin, but had no dealings with him, was overpowered when Taplin barged into the property," said the prosecutor. "Mr Buxton recalled Taplin being on edge and his speech was slurred.  He assumed that Taplin consumed something like drugs or alcohol. “There was a scuffle in the living room, whereupon Taplin saw around £100 cash in front of the television and took it. Mr Buxton tried to snatch the money back. “Taplin then hit Mr Buxton in the head a number of times as the scuffle moved into the kitchen where Taplin grabbed a seven-inch knife and stabbed Mr Buxton in his back. The knife caused a wound one-and-half centimetres in depth. “Taplin then backed off and ordered Mr Buxton to open the front door and ran off.” The police attended the scene and the following day arrested Taplin from his Cinderford address. Mr Buxton said in a statement to the court that looking back on the incident it had all become a blur. He added: “I was in a state of shock. I felt numb. The incident has had an impact on my mental health.  I had been keeping my head above water but since I was stabbed I’ve not wanted to leave my home. I know that it could happen anywhere, but I now double lock my doors for my own security. “I became paranoid when I heard that Taplin had been released from prison by mistake after his arrest. I thought he would be knocking on my door again. I only began trying to get my life back on track when he was captured a few weeks later. “The thought of given evidence at Taplin’s trial was quite stressful and I was pleased when he pleaded guilty to the charges. But he knew he was guilty all along.” Judge Rupert Lowe commented: “Taplin is potentially a dangerous man having committed similar offences on three previous occasions – but given the Crown’s stance on the alternative pleas, he cannot be classed as dangerous in law.” Sarah Jenkins, defending, said: “Taplin had served part of a 21-week sentence that was imposed in September last year, but was released on parole before being remanded in custody for this offence. “However, for unknown reasons Taplin was released by the prison authorities and was unlawfully at large for 30 days and was arrested during the early hours of October 27, 2022. He has been remanded in custody ever since. “Taplin was then transferred around different prisons, making it difficult to have a consultation with him. When I was able to speak with him in the cells of this court he agreed to the lesser charge of unlawful wounding. “However, his pre-sentence report, which was meant to assess his mental health, does not make happy reading as the writer felt Taplin was unable to convey his thoughts adequately enough.” Judge Lowe told Taplin: “You have had a difficult childhood, which has affected you as an adult. You’ve committed a lot of offences because you’re unable to relate to other people in society. “I completely understand your situation, but now is the time to be responsible for what you do otherwise you will spend your life in and out of prison. You would find yourself being institutionalised. You are worth more than that. “You have 36 previous convictions most of which are stealing and there is a lot of violence. You have three offences of busting into people’s home and assaulting the occupants. This one was the same. “If you do it again, you will be locked up for a substantial period of time. “I suspect you were high on drugs or alcohol, or both when you barged into the property in Coleford. Mr Buxton would have been entitled punch you because you were burgling his home. “Had the wound you inflicted been deeper it would have caused a lot more damage and you could be appearing at this court for murder. Your standard position is to lie and blame others. You need to start telling the truth from now on. “The effect on your victims has been significant in all aspects of their lives.” The judge jailed Taplin for 36 months and subjected him to a five year restraining order not to contact his victims or enter Tufthorn Avenue in Coleford.