A PAINTER and decorator who slashed a love rival with a machete as he slept has been branded a coward by his victim after being found guilty of attempted murder.

Gary Johnson carried out a frenzied attack on 26-year-old Christopher Spinks as he lay sleeping in Holly Dobson’s bed in the middle of the night.

The jury at Newcastle Crown Court heard how, unable to accept the breakdown of his relationship with 31-year-old Miss Dobson, Johnson broke into her house and tried to kill her new boyfriend.

The attack, at Braidwood Mews, in Stanley, County Durham, left Mr Spinks with a gash to his face and head, his ear cut in two and a leg wound so deep the bone was showing.

After the jury returned the verdict today (Monday, January 26) Mr Spinks said: “I was drunk and asleep. He is a little coward. I am relieved the case is over. I have got the result I wanted. I will be celebrating tonight.”

Johnson, 26, of Pelaw Avenue, Chester-le-Street, denied the offence, claiming he was buying cocaine and visiting a friend in No Place, near Stanley, at the time of the attack, in the early hours of August 9 last year.

But he was identified by his former partner, Miss Dobson, as the man who carried out the attack after sending a series of text messages threatening her new boyfriend.

The court also heard how keys belonging to Johnson were found in Miss Dobson’s bed after the attack.

He claimed they could have been lost “in his washing” from a previous visit and suggested they could have been planted there by someone trying to set him up.

But the jury rejected his version of events and Johnson was convicted unanimously.

The court heard Mr Spinks, who was not previously known to Johnson, is still in constant pain and has to wear a leg brace.

He has no memory of the incident, which started with a flurry of punches to his face and head as he lay defenceless in bed.

The court he and Miss Dobson are no longer a couple but remain friends.

Detective Inspector Gavin Heckles, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a difficult time for the victim and his family and the verdict will come as a relief to them.”

Johnson, who was remanded in custody, will be sentenced in the week beginning February 9.

The judge, Mr Justice Sir Stephen Males, said: “In view of the serious nature of the charge it is inevitably going to be a significant prison sentence.”