KNIVES were drawn in a row between neighbours which turned into a bloodbath when one punched a kitchen window, slicing a main artery, two nerves and losing two litres of blood, a court heard.

KNIVES were drawn in a row between neighbours which turned into a bloodbath when one punched a kitchen window, slicing a main artery, two nerves and losing two litres of blood, a court heard.

Adrian Bloomfield, 29, of Bulstrode Road, Ipswich, admitted criminal damage, putting a person in fear of violence, and possession of an offensive weapon at Ipswich Magistrates Court.

His injuries were so severe he has since endured two lengthy operations, one involving the grafting of a vein from his leg on to his arm.

He currently has no feeling in three fingers and will be unable to use his arm for up to a year.

Bloomfield became involved in a dispute with a neighbour's friend in the alleyway outside his home on June 28.

Magistrates heard how Bloomfield had become abusive to the man after he confronted him for falling over in the alleyway behind both of their houses and damaging fence panels.

Sandra Dyer, prosecuting, told how Bloomfield then went back home, grabbed a knife and walked back round to the neighbour's house, kicking and damaging a moped on his way.

The victim, who was in the neighbour's kitchen, then noticed that Bloomfield had a large steel knife in his hand and ran off.

At this point Bloomfield punched his hand through the kitchen window.

He then ran through the neighbour's house and out of the front door, bleeding heavily.

Tanya Thomas, mitigating, said that Bloomfield's actions had been provoked by the man as he walked through the alleyway.

When Bloomfield got to the front of the house he found the neighbour's friend waiting there with a knife.

At this point he went back into his house to get a knife himself, the court heard.

Ms Thomas said: "He had no intention of doing anything with it. It was more to show this man that anyone could carry a knife and it wasn't a big deal.

"When he ran back through the house after punching the window he really had no idea what he was doing. He has caused himself considerable damage and is truly very sorry about what he has done."

Magistrates gave Bloomfield a one year conditional discharge.

Ray Condon, chairman of the bench, described it as "an exceptional course of action" but agreed that Bloomfield had shown great remorse and would suffer the consequences of his actions for a long time.

Speaking after the case Bloomfield told of his regret: "I'm ruined. I've lost my job, I'm going to lose my car, and I can't do anything for myself.

"My wife has to look after me twenty four hours a day.

"I don't know what happened really I think I just got so frustrated I saw red. I wish it had never happened."