FURTHER details have emerged of a horrific stabbing at a public gym when a man was allegedly attacked by a stranger.

Magistrates were told that the 22-year-old victim suffered 16 wounds in the attack at Belle Vue Leisure Centre, in Consett, County Durham.

And it was disclosed that that alleged attacker had gone to the centre in Ashdale Road armed with a number of weapons – including kitchen knives, craft knives and an axe – to carry out an apparently random attack.

A restaurant worker appeared before magistrates yesterday accused of attempted murder.

Dale Pipe, 20, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court.

He is accused of attacking Josh Henley at about 2.15pm on Monday.

The 22-year-old victim was airlifted to hospital in Newcastle with life-threatening injuries after suffering multiple stab wounds to the head, neck and chest.

Magistrates heard Mr Henley had suffered 16 wounds during the attack. A police spokesman said yesterday: “Mr Henley remains in the Royal Victoria Infirmary, where his condition is described as improving.”

Mr Pipe has also been charged with three counts of possessing offensive weapons.

The charges relate to the possession of seven kitchen knives, two craft knives and an axe.

During the short hearing, Blair Martin, prosecuting, alleged that Mr Pipe had gone to the gym armed with the weapons where he stabbed a “male who was unknown to him”.

Mr Pipe, of Thornfield Road, The Grove, Consett, was not asked to enter a plea to the charges. He was remanded in custody to appear in Newcastle Crown Court, tomorrow, for a preliminary hearing.

Police praised leisure centre staff who dealt with the incident.

Consett Inspector Chris Davis said: “Staff at the centre reacted to the incident and trapped a suspect in the changing rooms until the police got there.

“Other members of staff administered first aid to the victim until paramedics arrived.”

Members of the public were evacuated during the incident.

The Belle Vue Leisure Centre is run by Leisureworks, a trust which runs sports and arts centres in the former Derwentside area.

The centre has since reopened.