John Robert Smith fronted Tamworth District Court this week for sentencing for the stabbing in West Tamworth in March this year.

He was sentenced to a maximum of 18 months behind bars for stabbing the 30-year-old in the abdomen. 

The 56-year-old has been behind bars since the daylight stabbing on March 2.

He was originally charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after the altercation inside a home in Mills Street.

In court, Smith pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless wounding. The original offence was withdrawn and dismissed and Smith was granted a 25 per cent discount for his early plea.

The Crown had maintained the pair were known to one another, and after an argument broke out inside the home, Smith grabbed a 20cm knife from the kitchen.

He then wounded the 30-year-old man, stabbing him once, about 3pm.

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Police and paramedics were alerted and the victim was taken to Tamworth hospital where he underwent surgery.

Smith was arrested at the scene and the knife was seized immediately.

Judge Jeffery McLennan imposed a head sentence of 18 months to date from the time Smith went into custody on March 2.

He imposed a minimum of nine months non-parole, meaning after time-served Smith will be eligible for parole at the start of December.

Judge McLennan convicted Smith of the offence and found special circumstances.