Sunderland dad caught carrying knife just moments before he was stabbed six times and beaten with dog chain

Christopher Reed "thought he was going to die" in a shocking street attack by Mark Roberts, 32, and Kyle Dixon, 24, on Hylton Road in Sunderland in the early hours of August 25 last year.

The attackers are now serving long prison sentences imposed at Newcastle Crown Court in September.

Now, Reed, 41, has appeared at the same court for having an offensive weapon just minutes before the near fatal violence.

Prosecutor Stuart Graham showed CCTV footage which captured Reed carrying a knife in his hand and said: "It leads up to the very violent attack on him."

Reed, formerly of Palmerston Road, Sunderland, admitted having an offensive weapon and an unrelated harassment offence after a neighbour dispute.

Judge Robert Spragg sentenced him to a community order for 18 months with programme requirements and a five year restraining order to keep him away from the ex neighbour.

Judge Spragg said: "Now is the time he needs some help.

"He was nearly killed."

Liam O'Brien, defending, said Reed had picked up the knife from the ground during an initial confrontation with his attackers that night.

Mr O'Brien added: "It nearly had the most tragic consequences for him. He literally could have died during that incident.

"He has bore the consequences of this, very heavily.

"He suffers significant flashbacks to what happened."

During the attack the married dad suffered six stab wounds to his face and body which caused a collapsed lung and required a chest drain.

He said in a victim statement, which was read after his attackers' trial, he has struggled to sleep, eat, work and exercise since the attack that left him with an 11.5 inch scar on his face.

He added: "My life was taken away and can't get back to how it was.

"I thought I was going to die that night."

Roberts and Dixon had denied involvement in the attack and claimed "mistaken identity" during a trial by a jury in February.

Roberts, of Guildford Street, Sunderland, was convicted of wounding with intent and having an offensive weapon, namely a knife.

Dixon, of Warwick Street in the city, was convicted of wounding with intent and having an offensive weapon, namely a metal dog chain.

The judge told the men "both of you are dangerous."

Roberts, who was given an indeterminate sentence for attempted robbery in the past, was jailed for 14 years.

Dixon, who had just got out of prison when he carried out the attack, was jailed for 12 years with an extended licence period of two years.