Attacker struck at random, court told

Comer denies attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm

A knife attacker who randomly struck out into a crowd seriously injured three men, a court has heard.

Patrick Comer, 30, a former insurance worker from Keswick, Norfolk, stabbed the three men as he walked through Norwich city centre in the early hours of Sunday 16 May last year, the jury at Norwich Crown Court was told.

The court heard Mr Comer, unemployed, caused life-threatening injuries to two of the men after he lashed out indiscriminately. He had spent the day drinking and taking amphetamines.

Mr Comer denies attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

When arrested Mr Comer talked of "a pressure valve going off" and told police "it felt good doing it".

Christopher Leigh QC, prosecuting, said the three victims - all young men making their way home after a night out - had no connection to each other and were strangers to Mr Comer.

Victims of the attack

Matthew Wickham, 26

James Broome, 19

Mark Goodall, 38

"None of the three actually got home that night - instead they ended up in hospital having been stabbed by this defendant," said Mr Leigh.

He added: "None of them spoke to the defendant, they didn't even look at him...there was no interaction of any sort between them and they were stabbed for no apparent reason whatsoever."

'Could have died'

Mr Leigh outlined the injuries suffered by Mr Comer's victims: Mark Goodall, 38, whose coronary artery was severed, needed a five hour operation, and for eight minutes his heart stopped.

Matthew Wickham, 26, suffered an abdominal wound, was left with a large hole in his liver, and also had a cardiac arrest.

James Broome, 19, escaped serious injury, sustaining a shallow cut to his abdomen.

Mr Leigh said Mr Comer had been drinking throughout the day with a friend, and had already been in a fight with another man at a party.

He had briefly blacked out after leaving the party and was left to walk alone after a disagreement with his friend.

Mr Comer, who had a Mohican hairstyle and was wearing combat clothing on the day of the alleged attacks, was identified by witnesses - and was carrying a knife when apprehended by the Police.

The trial continues.