A HOLLINS park patient stabbed his charity runner ex-girlfriend in the back 13 times with a knife, Warrington Crown Court heard.

Ian Hickman also strangled Julie Atherton and dragged her head up by her hair so he could watch her bleed, she alleged on Tuesday.

He is on trial for allegedly inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Julie Atherton, from Padgate, in November last year. He denies the charge.

Ms Atherton, who was the number one runner in last year's fundraiser the Race For Life at Arley Hall, suffered a punctured lung and spent four days in hospital.

Matthew Dunford, prosecuting, said: "It was a savage unprovoked attack and it's clear he intended to do really serious harm."

Mr Hickman is aged 38 and from Warrington, but has no fixed address. He had known Miss Atherton since their schooldays and they dated for about five months from June last year.

Ms Atherton, giving evidence on Tuesday, said he claimed he had got over drink and drug problems.

But Hickman was admitted to the Brooker Centre psychiatric unit in Runcorn last October then transferred to Hollins Park.

Ms Atherton said they had split up when she went to visit him. She says he attacked her in her car in a layby after he had been to The Swan Pub in Golborne Road.

Mr Hickman made no comment to the police in his interview. The court heard he has admitted inflicting the injuries, but denies he intended to cause serious harm.

The jury are expected to be sent out at about lunchtime today, Thursday, to consider a verdict.