A drug-crazed Folkestone man who launched an "unprovoked, frenzied and violent" attack with a knife has today been jailed for 15 years.

Stephen Boorman, 28, stabbed friend Darren McMorran four times in a flat in Black Bull Road in August last year.

Senior police officers said the trigger had been that he was under a court curfew order - and lashed out when told the time was 6pm.

The 44-year-old victim staggered into the street with blood pouring from his chest and back, but his life was saved by good samaritans and paramedics.

One woman used her shawl and another passer-by took off his jumper to stem the flow of blood from the savage wounds.

Paramedics arrived and Mr McMorran was flown by air ambulance to a London hospital where doctors in the intensive care unit fought to save his life.

The passers-by have been praised by senior investigating officer DI Gavin Moss, who said: "This was an horrific attack and the victim was lucky to escape with his life.

"Despite being faced with an alarming incident, a number of people rushed to help the victim. Not only did they administer life saving first aid but they also contacted the emergency services.

"I have nothing but praise for these individuals who refused to look the other way and came to the aid of someone who was in dire need for help."

Boorman, of Coolidge Road, Folkestone, was found guilty of attempted murder by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court.

A probation officer who prepared a report prior to sentence said the knifeman still posed a danger to the public.

Judge James O'Mahony said: "This is a sorry story of people's lives wrecked by drugs and violence. You contested the trial and now, far too late, you say that you are sorry."

As he was taken away, Boorman shouted 'I love you' to his partner, who was crying in the public gallery.

Prosecutor Dominic Connolly had told how the two men had been drinking with a mutual friend Dannie Phillips at his flat in Black Bull Road.

He said: "While they were there Boorman attacked Mr McMorran with a knife in an unprovoked, frenzied and violent attack. He was stabbed four times - three times in the back and once in the chest."

The prosecutor told how the victim fled from the flat, but collapsed in the street where "members of the public came to his assistance after he had received life threatening injuries".

Mr Connolly added: "His life was saved by the prompt actions of members of the public and the ambulance service."

At his trial, Boorman lied about there being a fourth man in the flat - but the court heard he now admits to being the knifeman.

Boorman, who had been wearing an electronic tag, then began smoking crack cocaine as the victim drank cider.

Mr McMorran told Boorman it was 6pm and "the next thing he remembers was receiving three bangs from behind his left shoulder", said the prosecutor.

As he turned around he saw Boorman holding a knife and was then struck in the chest - until Mr Phillips managed to block the attack.

After the incident, Boorman attempted to dispose of the weapon by throwing it over a wall and into a river, but was arrested.

His victim revealed to the court in a victim impact statement that the attack has had lasting physical and mental effects on him.

Mr Connolly revealed Mr McMorran gets out of breath easily, suffers numbness in his left arm and is now fearful of going out.

DI Moss, from the Kent and Essex Crime Directorate told how officers discovered the victim "curled up on the pavement and losing vast amounts of blood".