DJILLALI Sultani is today beginning a 12-year jail term after a frenzied knife attack outside a pub left a man fighting for life.Muslim Sultani, who had pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, stabbed Abdel Ameur with a seven-inch blade after a row over religion.

By Georgina James

DJILLALI Sultani is today beginning a 12-year jail term after a frenzied knife attack outside a pub left a man fighting for life.

Muslim Sultani, who had pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, stabbed Abdel Ameur with a seven-inch blade after a row over religion. The onslaught began after 29-year-old Mr Ameur became embroiled in an argument with Sultani near The Hare and Hounds pub in Norwich Road, Ipswich.

The vicious assault left Mr Ameur with a deep stab wound which penetrated his collarbone and pierced his lung.

Staff at the pub watched in horror as the two men came tumbling through the pub doors with blood pouring from the victim, who had been knifed minutes earlier.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector John Quinton of Ipswich CID, said if Mr Ameur had not managed to flee to the pub he would have suffered even more serious injuries.

He said: "This was a particularly vicious attack on an unarmed man.

"It was through sheer good fortunate that the victim managed to escape and sought refuge in a public house, which prevented him from being stabbed further.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of this trial. It is always difficult to try and prove that someone had the intent to kill, but through the good work of everyone involved in the case the hard work paid off.

"Although this was an unusual conviction it was a very successful one.

"This case sends out a very strong warning to those people who either carry or use a knife. The police will go for them and they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

"This sentence amplifies the decision made by the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the court, who worked together in bringing this case to trial and taking dangerous people off the streets."

Algerian national Sultani, of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but guilty to wounding with intent.

The jury at Chelmsford Crown Court took a day to find 34-year-old Sultani guilty of attempted murder.

He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and will be deported following the completion of his sentence.