Two men from Petersfield have been sentenced to a total of 43 years in prison for the attempted murder of a man in the town.

Shaun Charles Hanson, 50, of Fern Close, and Anthony John Seymour, 22, of River Moor Road, were both found guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, November 11.

And at Winchester Crown Court on December 22, Hanson was jailed for 21 years and Seymour for 22 years.

On sentencing, Her Honour Judge Miller said: “You both went to the flat of a vulnerable alcoholic armed with large knives and an agreement made with each other.

“It is a miracle he did not die.”

She described the incident as a “breathtakingly appalling attack” with the “full intent to kill” the victim.

The court case followed an extensive police investigation into an incident at an address in Durford Road, Petersfield.

Officers were called to the house at 1.08am on Wednesday, May 20, after reports a man had been assaulted.

On arrival, they found a 33-year-old man had been repeatedly stabbed, and needed hospital treatment.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Miller was told the victim had been in his room at home when Hanson and Seymour had burst in.

They were both armed with knives, and launched a ‘sustained and violent’ attack on him.

He was punched by Hanson before being stabbed 34 times.

He manged to escape after pushing a door into his attackers.

In a personal statement, the victim described how the attack was the scariest thing he had ever been through.

He said he didn’t think he would survive.

The court heard how the incident had left him scared to leave his house unless accompanied with other people.

Detective Constable Andy Jones said: “We are pleased with this result, and I hope this brings closure to the victim.

“Hanson and Seymour committed an extreme act of violence when they subjected the victim to this attack. Only his fast actions, and the emergency services, undoubtedly saved his life.

“As was said in court, it was only by luck that the victim survived this appalling attack.

“I would like to pay tribute to the witnesses who came forward, and thank the team who carried out a complex investigation to bring this case to justice.”

Petersfield police Neighbourhood Team Sergeant Phil Shore added: “We understand that incidents like this cause anxiety and upset in the community.

“This was an isolated attack, and I hope this result reassures people that we take incidents of violence very seriously.

“Incidents of this nature will be dealt with robustly, and we will work hard to keep our communities safe.”