A MAN feared for his life after suffering multiple stab wounds after arriving at a remote rendezvous for an agreed fight.

Against a background of an allegedly abusive relationship with a female relative and threats “to shoot him”, the victim rang the man he believed responsible for both - defendant Matthew Crooks - “to sort things out”, late on September 5.

Durham Crown Court was told Crooks denied making threats, but agreed to meet the caller for a fight to resolve matters.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said the meeting point was Peases West, near a running track between Billy Row and Crook, County Durham.

The victim, expecting a one-on-one fist fight, drove there alone in his Vauxhall Vectra.

He arrived at the pitch-black location to find no-one there, but five minutes later he saw a dark car, followed by a flat bed truck.

Mr Bennett said the car entered the car park, while the truck blocked the exit.

“Realising the defendant had turned up with ‘back-up’, he decided he wouldn't hang around.

“He tried to reverse towards the exit, but the flat bed truck was blocking his path.”

Crooks got out of the other car and approached the Vectra, smashing the windscreen with a metal bar before reaching in and repeatedly stabbing the victim with a knife as the terrified victim tried to scramble out.

Having finally managed to escape the car he headed towards a nearby pub to seek help, fearing for his life due to the heavy blood loss.

Mr Bennett said he collapsed on the doorstep of a house, where he drifted in and out of consciousness, vomiting several times.

Emergency services were called and he was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary where he was treated for nine stab wounds.

He suffered heavy internal bleeding and a build up of trapped air next to the lung as a result of his injuries and also underwent plastic surgery.

Mr Bennett said there was also a loss of feeling down one side and in two fingers for some time after the incident, but the victim has had to return to his plumbing job as he needs the income.

Crooks, who was arrested on October 1 following several police visits to his home, made no comment to questions.

But the 22-year-old, of Lynndale, Wolsingham, admitted wounding with intent and criminal damage at a previous hearing.

Chris Baker, mitigating, said this was “far more serious” than any of the defendant’s previous offences, mostly for minor disorder.

Mr Baker said there was, “an element of provocation”, at a time when Crooks was drinking heavily and returned to drug taking after a friend was involved in a serious motor cycle accident.

Jailing him for eight years, Judge Simon Hickey, said Crooks initially appeared “rather proud” of what he had done, telling people he had stabbed someone.

But he added it was, “only good fortune” he was not facing an attempted murder charge.