An Ipswich restaurant worker who was obsessed with his boss tried to kill her boyfriend after ambushing him in a Bury St Edmunds car park with a “Zombie” knife, it has been alleged.

One of the blows, which was described as “deep”,  landed on Blazej Piortowski’s shoulder just below his neck and the other two wounds only caused superficial injuries, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Stephen Rose, prosecuting, told the court that Alexander Cornell had been employed as a bartender at the Miller and Carter restaurant in Ipswich and appeared to have been “infatuated to the point of obsession” with his manager, who was in a relationship with Mr Piortowski.

The court heard that Cornell had asked her out on numerous occasions but she had made it clear to him that she wasn’t interested and wasn’t going to change her mind.

She was aware that Cornell had spoken to other members of staff about his feelings for her and that he told them he would never give up trying to win her round.

Mr Rose said Cornell had bought her flowers and chocolates and had given her underwear as a “Secret Santa” present, which she had thought was inappropriate as she was his boss.

He had also bought her a red dress during lockdown and some gym clothing for her birthday.

Two days before the stabbing she had received a pink bikini in the post which she thought had been sent by Cornell and she had also heard from work colleagues that he had her picture as the background on his Apple Watch.

The woman had also changed her gym three times and on each occasion, Cornell had allegedly joined them as well. He had also gone to the same sunbed salon as her, said Mr Rose.

Cornell, 27, of Britannia Road, Ipswich has denied attempting to murder Mr Piortowski on July 4 last year at the Parkway car park in Bury St Edmunds.

The jury has been told that Cornell has admitted wounding him with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and having a blade in a public place.

On the day of the stabbing, Mr Piortowski had returned to his car in a car park at 2pm after working a shift as a chef at Bill’s restaurant in Bury St Edmunds and was bending down to look at his tyres when he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder, said Mr Rose.

When he turned round he saw Cornell, who he’d met a couple of times before, holding a “Zombie” knife and told him: “I see your face. They are going to find you.”

Cornell had run off and Mr Piortowski managed to make his way back to the restaurant before being taken to hospital where he had sutures in the most serious wound.

Mr Piortowski told police he’d been in an on-and-off relationship with Cornell’s boss and had rekindled his relationship with her shortly before the stabbing.

Mr Rose claimed that when Cornell stabbed him he intended to kill him and was motivated by his feelings for his boss.

The trial continues.