A DRUNK savagely stabbed a man after trashing a Halesowen flat during an uncontrolled frenzy. Philip Grainger lashed out at Lee Giles – who thought he was going to die, court heard.

Mr Giles suffered a collapsed lung and spent three days in a hospital’s intensive care unit.

Raj Punia, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court how Grainger had been clearly drunk and “trashed” a neighbouring flat at Bournebrook Crescent, Howley Grange, where he lived.

He kicked his way into the flat before tearing cupboards off walls and tipping over the fridge freezer. “He appeared to be out of control,” said Miss Punia.

Grainger, aged 35, left the flat when the tenants arrived with Mr Giles, but he returned with a knife and stabbed Mr Giles, whom he did not know.

Another neighbour, who was a former soldier with first aid knowledge, helped Mr Giles until the emergency services arrived.

Grainger admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was jailed for eight years. Recorder Marcus Tregilgas-Davey ruled a charge of attempted murder should like on the file.

He told Grainger, who appeared before the court via a prison video link, his behaviour had been “inexcusable” and it was clear he had gone to the flat to vent his anger.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Giles told police he felt “lucky to be alive”, adding: “Someone must have been looking after me that day.”

Kevin Grego, defending, said Grainger had downed eight cans of lager and was known as the “local drunk”. He said he had been subjected on many occasions to verbal taunts and verbal bullying and this had sparked the incident.