A MAN who was allegedly slashed across the throat with a knife outside his house has told how he is lucky to be alive.

Steven Waring, of Breightmet Drive, Breightmet, has a three-inch knife wound on his neck, and he said doctors had told him the injury was just millimetres away from his jugular vein.

Pensioner William Dutton, an 89-year-old next-door neighbour of Mr Waring, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Waring, and possession of a bladed article.

Manchester Magistrates Court heard that frail Dutton, who appeared in court wearing glasses, a large green Parka-style coat and a hearing aid, was charged after an alleged incident on Sunday.

Dutton did not enter a plea as District Judge Khalid Qureshi sent the case to Bolton Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on February 14.

Dutton was granted conditional bail with an electronic curfew from 8am until 6pm and must stay at the home of a family friend who lives in Tonge Moor.

The incident was said to have happened outside the semi-detached home Dutton shares with his 86-year-old wife and their son, Ronald.

Mr Waring is a skip van driver for Edmund Proctor Skip Hire in Bolton Road, Darwen.

He said: “I didn’t realise what had happened at first because it just felt very warm. Then there was lots of blood and I just panicked.

“I started feeling very woozy and went inside to my wife Janette.

“There were lots of police and paramedics in the kitchen and I could tell by their faces they thought it was bad.

“In the hospital the doctors said I was lucky to be alive. Apparently it missed my jugular by millimetres and came very close to damaging my voicebox.


MORE:


“I feel like I’m lucky to still be here but it has all been just such a shock.”

His workmates yesterday said they were shocked that he had been attacked.

John Proctor, managing director of Edmund Proctor Skip Hire, said: “It’s just come as such a shock to us all.

“Steven has worked for us for just over 20 years and has been a good employee.

“We don’t know a lot about what has happened but we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.”

Mr Waring lived in Blackburn for four years before moving to Bolton in 2001. The couple have one daughter, Debbie.

One neighbour said he was “completely shocked” by what had happened.