TWO men have been convicted for a “despicable and cowardly” attack, in which they stabbed their victim while repeatedly beating him with a dog chain.

Kyle Dixon, 23, and Mark Roberts, 31, left their victim needing emergency surgery for multiple stab wounds as a result of the vicious assault, on Hylton Road, Sunderland, in August last year.

The pair denied wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.

But, following a five-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court, a jury found them both guilty of all charges.

They are now remanded in custody, pending sentence later this year.

Police said the brutal nature of the attack dismayed the community.

Detective Sergeant Gaye Martin, of the Northumbria force, said: “This was a despicable and cowardly assault which caused a lot of distress to the victim and the community as a whole.

“Armed with weapons caused to inflict maximum damage, Dixon and Roberts set upon their victim and left him with serious injuries that could so easily have proven fatal.

“They then had the audacity to claim the victim had wrongly identified them as the perpetrators and showed no sign or remorse or regret following the attack.

“As a result, there can be no doubt that Sunderland is a safer place with these two individuals off the streets.

“I hope today’s conviction sends out a message to other criminals that this type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and we will continue to look to bring offenders to justice.”

The court was told how the victim was set upon by the pair in the early hours of August 25.

Roberts stabbed the defendant multiple times while Dixon attacked him with a dog chain in the ruthless attack.

The victim required emergency surgery at hospital after sustaining multiple stab wounds to his back, chest, armpit and head.

Police later arrested Dixon and Roberts after they were picked out by the victim in a photographic identity parade.

The attackers denied all charges, claiming there had been a case of “mistaken identity.”

Dixon, of Warwick Street, Sunderland, denied wounding with intent and having an offensive weapon, the metal dog chain.

Roberts, of Guildford Street, Sunderland, denied wounding with intent and having an offensive weapon, a knife.

But, following their convictions they are facing lengthy sentences when they are brought back before the court, on April 29.