The parents of a 20-year-old who narrowly escaped death after being stabbed in the neck have made a desperate appeal for the man charged with the offence to give himself up.

Paul Murphy was stabbed outside The Pile Bar pub in Manningham after a night out with friends more than a year ago. Two people were charged in connection with the offence, but one of them has skipped bail and is thought to be on the run.

Now parents John and Diane of Parkside have joined the police in appealing to anyone who has information about his whereabouts to come forward and put an end to months of delayed Court cases and heartache.

Mr Murphy said: "We just can't draw a line underneath it. It was meant to be dealt with by the courts but this chap not turning up is prolonging it and it's just going on and on. We can't forget it, especially when you know he's still out there."

Simon Noble, 27, from Idle was charged with wounding in August 1998. But after attending a preliminary hearing, he failed to appear before Bradford Crown Court in July 1999 and February this year.

Paul was stabbed with a ten inch knife after leaving the pub on Lilycroft Road with two friends. He was rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary with serious injuries to his throat where doctors discovered the blade had travelled nine inches across his neck to his right shoulder.

He had 28 external stitches as well as numerous internal stitches and has been left with two scars under his chin and on his neck.

Paul, who was 18 at the time of the attack, said the injuries and strain had caused him to lose the chance of completing a modern apprenticeship. He has since started working for a Bradford Insurance company.

Mr Murphy said: "All I want is for the publicity to help catch this person if anyone knows where he is. This has been going on for long enough. He's like the invisible man."

DC Max Barton from Toller Lane CID, who is in charge of the case, said extensive efforts to track Noble down through the usual routes such as benefit claims and bank accounts had proved fruitless. He now fears Noble may have skipped the country.

"Paul was stabbed with a lock knife and it only narrowly missed his main arteries. It was a horrendous attack," he said.

"We want to find this man for Paul's sake. He's had a lot of problems with this case and been left with awful scars. He's got to get on with the rest of his life."

He added he was also planning to make an appeal through the BBC's Crimewatch to help track Noble down.

If anyone has any information which could help, contact DC Barton at Toller Lane station on (01274) 376286.

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