TWO brothers armed themselves with kitchen knives before carrying out a “horrifying and merciless” stabbing on a street, leaving the victim for dead, a court has heard.

Christopher Trigg, 36, of Risca, and Simon Trigg, 33, formerly of Caerphilly, have pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Kevin Skye in the alleged attack in the early hours of December 27 last year.

Michael Jones, opening the case for the prosecution, said the pair had been involved in a fight at the Hafodyrynys Inn in Hafodyrynys, between Pontypool and Crumlin, before the alleged attack which had left them “irate.”

Mr Skye was a peacemaker in the scuffle, which broke out after a fight between Simon Trigg and another man at the pub, Matthew Chapman.

Mr Jones said witnesses heard the brothers say they were “going to get knives” and that they made threats as they left, shouting that they were “going to kill everyone.”

The pair went to their mother’s home, where Mr Jones said they each armed themselves with a knife.

Mr Jones said one witness, Nikita Forward – who was walking home with Mr Skye - described the victim being grabbed by the scruff of the neck before being repeatedly stabbed.

She and others ran and managed to push the two brothers away, the court heard.

“As Christopher Trigg passed them she could see him holding a six to seven inch kitchen knife.

“She saw him smile and he licked the blade of the knife with his tongue,” said Mr Jones.

After carrying out the attack, witnesses said they saw the brothers running away, Mr Jones told the court.

“They were heard saying words to the effect of “We’ve had him, we’ve stabbed him,” Mr Jones said.

Mr Jones said a paramedic described seeing at least one unit of blood on the ground next to where Mr Skye lay.

“Paramedics and hospital treatment undoubtedly saved Mr Skye’s life,” he said.

He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries which required emergency surgery, the court heard.

Christopher Trigg has pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of GBH with intent, but denies attempted murder.

Simon Trigg denies both charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent.

He says he attempted to break up the attack after he found his brother grappling with Mr Skye.

Proceeding.