A PENSIONER who was stabbed repeatedly in a horrific and sustained attack says he will suffer from his injuries for the rest of his life.

John Sales, 71, suffered multiple wounds to his body and head in the prolonged attack in November 2015.

His stepson Flash Ashley Day has been found guilty of hiring hitman Ryan Hynes to kill Mr Sales in order to inherit up to £200,000 from the sale of his house in Hythe Hill, Colchester.

In a victim personal statement read out at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, Mr Sales described how his mind still turns to the attack every night.

His injuries have left him with severe physical issues.

He said: “When I go to bed at night the attack is the last thing on my mind.

“I think about how and why this happened to me.

“I am a gentle man who would not do anyone any harm.

“I am concerned about the court proceedings and the impact it will have on me.

“I now struggle with going out, I am conscious of my appearance.

“The attack has left me with no movement on one side of my face.

“When I am out I hear children making comments to their parents, which I find disturbing.”

He added: “I am not the man I was before the attack.

“I have had five operations with still more to come.

“The vision in my left eye has been impaired, I have hearing loss in my left ear.

“I have severe paralysis to the left side of my face, it effects the way I speak - I constantly have to wipe my mouth.

“I have to put drops in four times a day to stop my eye drying out as my left eyelid does not close.

“This is very impactful on my sleep pattern, as soon as there is light I wake up.

“Both my children and my wider family have been affected by the attack and not knowing whether I was going to survive.

“My two grandchildren are currently having counselling as they are very close to me.

“I have sensors and lights throughout the garden as this is the only way I can use it“One of the suspects in the case is Ashley Day, my stepson.

“I always thought we had a good relationship.”

Ryan Hynes has admitted trying to kill Mr Sales, while a 17-year-old girl who cannot be named due to a court order has admitted giving him a false alibi.

Day, Hynes and the 17-year-old are due to be sentenced by Judge Charles Gratwicke today.