COEUR d'ALENE - A 31-year-old North Idaho man has admitted that he stabbed a fellow patron in the neck last spring inside a now-closed Coeur d'Alene bikini bar.

Jeremy D. Lyght, of Post Falls, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in 1st District Court to the nearly deadly attack at the Rendezvous night club, located at 216 E. Coeur d'Alene Ave.

"Sir, I plead guilty," Lyght said to Judge John Luster.

Lyght initially was charged with attempted murder for the attack on then 25-year-old victim Derek Ward, who suffered a wound requiring about five hours of treatment at a hospital. The gash was 4 inches long and dug 2 inches deep, missing his carotid artery by a millimeter. It took 25 stitches to close the wound.

Ward told The Press at the time that his back was turned to Lyght when Lyght grabbed his head and plunged the knife in. He said Lyght also tried to stab him in the eye.

As part of a plea deal, Lyght pleaded guilty to battery with the intent of committing a serious felony. It carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

He also pleaded guilty to a weapons enhancement that could add 15 years to his sentence for using a knife - considered a deadly weapon - in the attack.

Lyght's defense attorney, Brad Chapman, said the plea agreement with Kootenai County prosecutors was reached with the help of 2nd District Court Judge Jeff Brudie during mediation.

Lyght has been in jail since the April 2012 attack, which began over a woman both men knew.

His sentencing is scheduled for April 22.