'I was choking in my own blood. I felt every one of those blows'

A NOTTINGHAM hammer attack victim sobbed as she recalled "choking in her own blood" after being repeatedly struck.

- By MARTIN NAYLOR

In a video interview played at Nottingham Crown Court, Natalie Packer remembered screaming as she was first hit to the back of her head by a man the prosecution claim is Julian Mead.

She told how she said, "Julian, please stop" as the 41-year-old Aspley man carried out what the crown said was a "frenzied" assault in a driveway near her Cinderhill home.

Mead, of Welstead Avenue, is on trial for attempted murder, an alternative count of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon and burglary. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, saying the man in CCTV footage played to the jury is not him.

Recalling what happened, Ms Packer said: "I saw two suspects, one of them was Julian Mead, come to my gate. He had a balaclava on. I know Julian, he's been round my house a few times.

"He said to me 'you have hurt my dog' and I said 'what are you talking about?' I'd never hurt a dog and (my partner) said 'what are you talking about, Julian? She'd never harm anyone.'