Man was victim of vicious knife attack, court hears (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Man was victim of vicious knife attack, court hears

1:20pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

A KNIFE attack left a man with life-threatening injuries outside his Clacton home.

A court heard Jamie Usedon was stabbed in the neck, chest, back and hand after two men armed with kitchen knives launched a vicious assault on him.

The jury heard it was only the quick actions of neighbours and paramedics that saved the 23-year-old’s life.

Neighbour Mark Sutcliffe used a bath towel to help stem blood coming from Mr Usedon's neck.

He later told police Mr Usedon was "leaking blood like a sieve".

One paramedic called to the scene in Dudley Road described the stab wounds as some of the worst she had ever seen.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard the attack on Mr Usedon was well planned and had involved a number of "reconnaissance trips" to check his address and movements.

A toothpick had even been forced into the lock on his front door to prevent him from getting inside, the court heard.

"This was a careful plan hatched to kill Jamie Usedon, a plan that, in effect, narrowly failed," Mark Milliken-Smith QC, prosecuting, said.

He told the jury the motive for the attack was unclear.

"It may well be that we never know. There may be a suggestion that it may be something to do with drugs," Mr Milliken-Smith said.

"Whatever the motive, this was a careful plan hatched to kill Jamie Usedon.”

The trial heard Mr Usedon was working nights for a demolition company when he was attacked on March 15.

He was dropped off outside his home shortly after 6am and was heading for his front door when he saw a man dressed in black.

The man was holding a large kitchen-style knife and Mr Usedon reacted by jumping over a low wall.

Mr Milliken-Smith said: "Mr Usedon became aware of a second man and saw he was holding a similar knife. He recognised neither of them.

"He sought to raise the alarm by banging on the window of his house shouting out for his partner Amy.

"Mr Usedon stumbled and started banging on cars to raise the alarm when one of the men started slashing at him and when he went to raise his arms in defence, he saw the knife go into his chest two times.”

He suffered two other stab wounds to his neck close to vital arteries, two in the back, one to his right wrist and one to a finger.

Medical experts concluded Mr Usedon would have died if he had not received any help.

Four men are accused of conspiring to murder Mr Usedon and an alternative charge of conspiracy to cause him grievous bodily harm with intent.

Daniel Yates, Dale Frame, Edwin Schreech-Powell and Robert Knight deny the charges.

The trial continues.