AN attacker who repeatedly knifed his friend after a marathon drink and drugs binge was yesterday jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Patrick McDonagh - described as a gentle giant by friends - launched the frenzied assault after a 12-hour party with pals last year.

His victim - who suffered ten wounds, including one between his eyes - said: “I thought this was the day my life would end.”

Terrified Lee Treloar cowered with his hands and arms shielding his face from the onslaught.

Another guest who had been asleep on the sofa pulled 21-year-old McDonagh off his victim.

Mr Treloar said in a statement afterwards: “The physical wounds will heal, but mentally this has had a huge effect on me.

“This is the most traumatic thing I have ever been through. I have had nightmares and sleepless nights.

“I believed that was it, this was the day my life would come to an end. It’s the mental scars that will take the most to get over.”

The motiveless and sudden attack was described as terrifying by the judge at Teesside Crown Court, Mrs Justice Jefford.

The victim, unable to get out of the house, believed he had been locked in and feared his attacker would return.

He told how he cannot carry out simple tasks like cutting up food and putting socks on because of injuries to his hands.

“I can’t help thinking if he wasn’t pulled away, he wouldn’t have stopped, and gone on to kill me,” he said.

Robert Woodcock, QC, mitigating, described the incident as “an explosive flurry of slashes and swings” but said: “It was over almost as soon as it began.”

Mr Woodcock handed in three references describing McDonagh as compassionate, kind, generous and intelligent.

“That which occurred on that early morning last year, causing this terror to his victim, was completely out of character, and, indeed, the product of taking far too much drink and far too much drugs.”

McDonagh, of Easby Court, Skelton, east Cleveland, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder three days later on the M6 in Staffordshire.

He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm when he was about to go in trial.