Knife man attempted to kill reveller, court told

A man armed with a knife launched a series of unprovoked attacks on revellers in the early hours in Wolverhampton city centre, a court heard.

Anthony Platt, aged 27, stabbed Anthony Ross four times outside the Hogshead pub in Stafford Street, Stafford Crown Court was told yesterday.

Mr Ross, now aged 30, was left with multiple injuries to his face, chest and stomach that could have proved fatal after being attacked at around 3am on October 21, 2006, the jury heard yesterday.

He was stabbed in the right cheek with such force that one of his teeth was knocked out.

"Had the injuries not been treated quickly and expertly they may very well have proved fatal," said Mr Adrian Keeling, prosecuting.

Minutes earlier, Platt, of Stafford Road, Wolverhampton, was alleged to have punched Matthew Smith to the back of the head in a similar but unconnected attack, leaving him with a bloodshot eye and bruising injuries.

Mr Smith told police he had noticed a knife in his attacker's left hand, but it was not used on him, the court heard.

Platt - nicknamed Benny because of his alleged likeness to comedian Benny Hill - denies the attempted murder of Mr Ross and an alternative charge of wounding with intent.

He further denies causing actual bodily harm to Mr Ross.

Both men had been returning home from nights out in the city centre, the court heard.

Mr Keeling told the jury of seven men and five women: "The defendant attacked two different people, who were in fact passers-by, for no good reason at all.

"These were, in short, wholly unprovoked attacks by him. They both involved the defendant, and both involved a knife.

"He says it wasn't him, but the prosecution say you can be sure it was."

He said Platt claimed to have no recollection of the night's events, but DNA samples taken from both victims' clothing linked him to the attacks.

Mr Keeling added: "In interview, he did say he had a nickname of Benny.

"Witnesses will say that the man who was doing the attacking was being called Benny by other people."

The trial continues.