A ROOKIE soldier was left fighting for his life after a fellow squaddie on basic training launched a savage knife attack on him as he slept at his barracks.

Liam Riccio spent four days in intensive care and ten days in hospital after being attacked by John Taylor-Carr at the Catterick army camp in North Yorkshire.

A court heard that 23-year-old Taylor-Carr was said to have been jealous that his pal had started a relationship with a woman he also "had designs on".

Taylor-Carr stabbed Mr Riccio four times after returning from a drinking session on the garrison and lying listening to music thinking about the couple.

His thoughts are said to have "turned to hatred" and he armed himself with a three-foot shelf and a lock-knife, went looking for Mr Riccio and found him asleep.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Mr Riccio was battered with the shelf, and when he jumped from his bed, he pleaded with Taylor-Carr: "It's me, what are you doing?"

The hooded attacker then plunged the knife into Mr Riccio four times - just missing his lung and his kidney and perforating his bowel and causing a wound to his wrist.

Mr Riccio fled to the bases' medical centre when he realised blood was pouring from the stomach wound, and doctors discovered a four-inch slash.

He has since been medically-discharged from the army - ruining a life-long ambition - still suffers flashbacks to the June 16 attack and cannot take part in sport.

Taylor-Carr, of Aldcliffe Court, Morcambe, Lancashire, admitted a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and appeared yesterday to be sentenced.

But Judge Les Spittle refused to impose a sentence after hearing Taylor-Carr told police he had been suffering from depression for a long time and had recently had "a funny turn".

The judge adjourned the case for six weeks so a psychiatrist can look at Taylor-Carr's background and assess how likely he is to commit similar crimes.

"This is an attack on a sleeping man, in a rage for something that provides no basis for such rage," Judge Spittle said. "I do not consider that the concept of perception of dangerousness has been adequately addressed.

"In view of what has been said there has to be a psychiatric report, and I have got to look at the background of his mental make-up for the protection of the public."

If Taylor-Carr is considered a danger, he could face a life sentence, and Judge Spittle said: "Make no bones about it, in the absence of any conclusions of dangerousness, he is still facing a substantial sentence."