Trial hears from victim of knife attack in Durham City

Newcastle Crown Court heard it was only the prompt action of a former serviceman and then an ambulance paramedic at the scene, on a rough track in Durham, that ensured the victim remained alive before being taken for emergency hospital treatment.

The victim, who had to have part of his bowel removed, suffered knife wounds to the abdomen, leg and buttocks in the attack, on Bent House Lane, off Sherburn Road, Durham, on April 7, Good Friday, this year.

Defendant, Taylor Bentham, who knows the victim, has admitted carrying out the attack, but denies intending to kill the other man.

Read more: Durham teenager with out of control dog faces attempted murder trial

The court heard the victim had issues with the defendant for allegedly sending suggestive messages to his girlfriend.

Opening the case to the jury this afternoon (Tuesday October 3) Paul Rooney, prosecuting, said on the day in question it was the complainant’s 29th birthday and he went with his girlfriend and her sister for a walk along the riverbanks in Durham to the Rose Tree pub at Shincliffe.

They only had a single drink each before heading back, walking from Maiden Castle on to Bent House Lane, which leads to Sherburn Road, in mid-afternoon.

Read more Durham City stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

A passing “dirt biker” appeared to be having difficulty with his machine and so the complainant went over to offer him assistance to get it re-started.

But when the biker took off his balaclava the complainant realised it was Bentham and words were exchanged.

He offered to fight Bentham and appeared to get the better of it until the defendant said he had enough.

Mr Rooney said the complainant offered to shake hands with Bentham, but he refused and went back to his bike, managing to get it started and driving in the direction of the other man, who had to take evasive action.

As Bentham drove past he shouted to the other man: “Watch what happens to you”.

Minutes later as the complainant and his girlfriend were further up the lane, known locally as ‘The Trod’, they saw Bentham running towards them carrying two kitchen knives, one in each hand, and with his Mastiff-type dog.

Mr Rooney said Bentham urged his pet to attack the other man, who tried to run away and hide behind a camper van, but he was bitten repeatedly by the dog.

Bentham then caught upto with him and stabbed him in the leg, causing him to go to ground, where he then stabbed him up to three times in the abdomen, causing profuse bleeding, plus twice in the buttocks.

The victim believed it was only when Bentham heard his girlfriend ringing police to report the incident, naming him as the perpetrator, that he ended the attack and ran off.

A video recorded interviewed given by the victim to police, following his hospital release later in April, was played to the jury.

Asked by police what he could remember as he was being stabbed, as he tried to resist, he said he was struggling to breathe, adding: “F**k, I’m 'brown bread'.”

He said a passing walker came over to offer initial first-aid while the emergency services were en-route to the scene.

The victim said he asked the man if he might die, to which he said the Good Samaritan responded: “Not on my watch. I’ve seen ten times worse than this on the battlefield.”

He then told police he thought: “I might just get lucky here.”

Read next:

Taylor Bentham, 18, charged after Durham Good Friday assault

Teenagers who killed Newton Aycliffe's Jack Woodley lose appeal bid

Durham woman, under influence of drink and drugs, committed stabbing

Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from as little as only £1.50 a week, by clicking here

Shortly afterwards a paramedic took over the rescue attempt and the victim was taken to the RVI Hospital, in Newcastle, for emergency treatment, only being released four days later.

Bentham, 19, of Cuthbert Avenue, Sherburn Road, Durham, denies a charge of attempted murder but admits wounding the victim with intent to cause him serious harm.

The trial resumes tomorrow (Wednesday, October 4.)