Andrew Marangos, 43, was found guilty of attempted murder and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, on 5 December at the Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Marangos was sentenced immediately to 28 years in prison and is to serve two-thirds of his sentence - he is not to be released without permission of the parole board.

The court heard that the victim, 60, had met Marangos several times before the attack.

On Tuesday 11 January, the associate picked up Marangos near his address in Enfield, Broadlands Avenue.

Police have released details stating the victim drove to Swan Way and pulled up, Marangos then began looking through his pockets - claiming to look for cash. The victim found it unusual and suggested the cash "might be in his top pocket".

Marangos then hit his victim over the head with a metal bar, knocking him unconscious. The suspect stabbed his victim six times - five times in the neck and once in the lung, puncturing it.

The victim later regained consciousness and realised he was severely injured with a pool of blood around him. Marangos in an attempt to rob him started shouting "where is it?" - referring to drugs.

In an effort to try and get help, the injured victim began to honk his car horn - the offender then ran around to the driver's side and asked the victim again where the drugs were, Marangos was told to search the boot.

In another attempt to try and get aid, the victim dangled his legs out of the car and shouted for help. Marangos hurried over and rammed the door against the victim's legs several times.

After asking Marangos how he was going to get away with such crimes, he replied: "Don't worry, you're not going to be here."

The victim debated whether he should tell Marangos where the drugs were, but the criminal soon fled the scene and a passer-by rushed to assist the victim.

The casualty was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and treated for his wounds in an emergency surgery. The victim's leg had to be amputated as a result of the "brutal" attack.

What happened next?

Police spoke with the victim and told them that his attackers went by the name of "Andy" - unaware of the criminal's full name. However, after officers examined the victim's phone, they identified Marangos as the suspect.

On Friday 15 January, detectives went to the suspect's home and recovered a metal pole, a butterfly knife - with the victim's blood on it - and shoes that corresponded with CCTV footage of a person seen fleeing the scene, on the day of the attack.

Footage also revealed an hour after the attack Marangos was seen buying alcohol and painkillers.

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The police also found that Marangos' phone had been discarded or switched off after the attack and not used since, in a bid to cover his tracks.

Marangos was taken to a north London police station and answered no comment to all the questions put to him.

He was charged on Saturday 15 January for his crimes.

Detectives have said Marangos is a very dangerous individual and "an acute risk to the public".

"He clearly intended to kill the victim, exemplified by the sheer brutal and sustained force he used, armed with two dangerous weapons and leaving him for dead", said Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, from the North area's CID.