JURORS have retired to consider their verdict as an attempted murder trial nears its conclusion.

A young mother was stabbed 31 times by her ex-partner after he flew into a rage days after finding a used condom packet in her bathroom.

Christopher Blakemore attacked Amy Johnson inside her own home in front of their young son, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The six foot six defendant is on trial accused of attempting to murder his former partner when he plunged a kitchen knife into Miss Johnson 31 times, suffering multiple stab wounds to her neck, shoulders, chest, stomach and thighs before managing to lock herself in the bathroom and call 999.

Miss Johnson told jurors that the 33-year-old turned up at her back door asking for money and when she turned him away he lost his temper, forced his way into her home before knocking her to the ground and stabbing her.

Jurors heard how the victim was a 'very lucky lady' as all the wounds missed vital organs and main arteries.

The court heard how Blakemore maintained that he acted in self-defence when his former partner attacked him with a knife on on October 13, 2019, at Miss Johnson's home on Marske Lane, Bishopsgarth, Stockton.

Blakemore, of Ammerston Road, Middlesbrough, denies attempting to murder her or cause her grievous bodily harm.

Judge Jonathan Carroll urged the jury to appoint a foreman and retire to consider its verdict at 4pm.

The jury has been sent home for the night and will resume their deliberations tomorrow morning.

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