A Wiltshire man has been convicted of a brutal stabbing outside a village shop.
65-year-old Luciano Marenghi used such force to repeatedly knife Patrick Glover that the blade was bent out of shape, Salisbury Crown Court heard.
As previously reported, the attack took place outside the The Co-Operative Food store in High Street at around 5.35pm on Monday 4 September last year.
The defendant claimed the pair were having a dispute, and he had used the weapon in self-defence. He denied a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.
But at trial this week, prosecutors unravelled his defence – piecing together compelling eyewitness testimony and CCTV evidence to prove that the assault was wholly disproportionate.
Witnesses described an attack upon the victim – aged in his 30s at the time – committed with such force that the blade was bent out of shape.
Members of the public courageously restrained Marenghi while others promptly tended to Mr Glover’s injuries before police arrived at the scene a short time later.
In a statement at the time, Inspector Ben Huggins said their “bravery undoubtedly helped aid the victim in their recovery and meant that the suspect was detained and arrested”.
At jury found the defendant, of High Street, Pewsey, guilty. He previous admitted possessing a kitchen knife in public. He will be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court at a later date.
Simon Clark, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “This was a shocking attack which will have undoubtedly disturbed the local community.
“Marenghi’s attack was brutal and the victim in this case was lucky to have not been more seriously hurt.
“I hope today’s conviction sends a clear message to anyone who arms themselves with a knife that such behaviour will not be tolerated in our society.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to the brave members of the public who assisted the victim and police during this incident and engaged in the prosecution’s case.”
