A MAN has admitted a town centre knife attack where he stabbed his victim in the chest.

Jake Randall was arrested shortly after a 21-year-old was hospitalised after being knifed in Colchester High Street in November.

Police rushed to the taxi rank close to After Officer Hours to attend to the victim.

He was taken to hospital for treatment.

Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening.

Randall, 20, was charged and during a court hearing in December he admitted possession of a steak knife.

He had, however, denied a charged of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

But Randall changed his plea to the more serious charge during a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.

During the short sitting he spoke only to confirm his name and his change of plea.

A trial had been scheduled but that has now been scrapped.

Sentencing has been adjourned for six weeks.

Annie Fraser, mitigating, said she was hoping to apply for a psychiatric report to look into Randall’s mental state as well as a standard pre-sentence report.

“We want to get funding for a psychiatric report,” she said.

“I have asked for the sentencing hearing to be adjourned.”

Randall had no previous convictions prior to admitting to the attack.

Judge Patricia Lynch QC listed the sentencing for the week beginning March 9.

Addressing Randall, of Friday Wood Green, Colchester, she said: “Six weeks takes us to March 9 and it will not come into court before then.

“I do not reserve the case to myself.

“That is it for today.

“You are remanded in custody.

“I order a pre-sentence report and other reports should all be ready by that date.”