Neighbours of victim in court

NEIGHBOURS of an alleged hammer attack victim have described how he “looked dead” when they pulled him from his burning home.

Stephen Clark is accused of trying to kill Lee Bone with the weapon before setting fire to his house as he lay “gravely” injured on the floor.

Prosecutors claim the 35-year-old launched a “prolonged and violent” attack on Mr Bone after the pair argued over the sharing of crack cocaine at the latter’s home in Wigmore Avenue, Newcastle, one morning in July last year.

Jurors previously heard how Clark took a hammer from dad Mr Bone before hitting him with it on the head at least six times. He is said to have dragged Mr Bone’s blood-soaked body as if he was a “piece of rubbish” into a sitting room before setting three seats on fire, including one next to the gas and electric mains.

Mr Bone suffered a severe brain injury, skull fracture, puncture wound to his cheek, injuries to his arm and fingers and fractures to his arm, jaw and a rib. The court was told he remains in hospital more than seven months after the alleged attack and it is unclear whether he will ever be able to lead an independent life again.

Clark, of no fixed abode, denies attempted murder, an alternative of GBH with intent, arson with intent to endanger life and the alternative of arson being reckless as to endanger life.