A MAN who suffered horrific injuries during a savage machete attack has no memory of the gruesome incident, a jury heard.

Christopher Spinks was repeatedly beaten about the head and slashed with the two-foot blade as he slept after a night when he drank eight cans of lager and some vodka.

Gary Johnson, former partner of Mr Spinks' girlfriend Holly Dobson, who was in bed with the 26-year-old victim, is said to have burst into her house and carried out the sickening attack in a jealous rage.

Johnson, 26, has denied attempted murder and wounding with intent and is on trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

His victim was left with a cut to the head and nose, his ear hanging off and wound on his leg so deep the bone was visible.

Giving evidence today, Mr Spinks said: “I cannot remember getting home that night.

“I remember waking up in hospital with Holly holding my hand.

“My ear was in two bits and it was hanging off my head.

“There was a big gash in the top of my head that went right down to the bone.

“There was a cut to my eye, across my nose bone. I had injuries all the way down my body and legs. There was a big hole in the bottom of my leg. I am in pain all the time and have got a leg brace on.”

Johnson is said to have carried out the frenzied attack at around 4.40am on August 9 at Braidwood Mews, in Stanley, County Durham.

The painter and decorator, of Pelaw Avenue, Chester-le-Street, denies being there, despite being identified by his ex -girlfriend as the man who burst into her home.

It is said a key was used to open the door before the security chain was smashed off.

The disturbance was witnessed by Asda warehouseman Calvin Taylor, who had unloaded a delivery lorry in the yard opposite the house.

He said: “I heard the initial commotion. There was a form of shouting.

“I heard: ‘I love you, I f***ing love you.’ I believe there was a woman screaming.”

The court heard Mr Taylor was able to see through a bedroom window.

He said: “I saw a male swinging his arm as if he was hammering something .

“It was more than once. I didn’t count, but maybe three times.

“It was not particularly fast, but with intent and force. There were a couple of seconds between each blow.”

He told the jury he thought it was the former partner of the woman who lived there.

The trial continues.