A DRUG addict, Richard Smith, who carried out a 'frenzied' knife attack on his former friend has been found guilty by unanimous verdict of attempted murder at Worcester Crown Court.

The jury began deliberating at around 2pm yesterday following a trial which began on Monday. There had been a pause when the jury sent a note to judge Nicholas Cole expressing concern about the 'lack of medical reports or history of the defendant's mental state'.

However, the judge told them that they would have to decide the case on the evidence before them and sent them away to resume deliberations. The panel of eight women and four men was sent home for the day at 4.30pm after failing to reach a unanimous verdict.

The victim's ear was left hanging off and he suffered stab wounds to the neck, head, back and hands during the attack. Mr Gillott had to have a blood transfusion at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The attack, described as 'frenzied' by the victim was said to have been prompted by the defendant becoming paranoid that his computer had been hacked by Mr Gillott and his friend, Jack Spacie. During the assault the knife blade snapped and the heater and the flat were left spattered with blood.

Police body cam video footage was played of Mr Gillott covered in blood in his own bed and a hospital bed where he recounted his ordeal.