10:44am Monday 19th October 2009
By Sian Davies
A SOUTHAMPTON man had to fake a heart attack in order to stop a knife attack in which a gang stabbed him twice.
Keith Mann, 62, spent three days in intensive care after being stabbed in the chest when a gang of would-be robbers burst into his home.
The Southampton Crown Court heard how Mr Mann was woken by the sound of knocking on his front door in the middle of the night.
Through the spyhole he saw Abbey Springer, who had been at his flat earlier that day.
The court heard how Mr Mann had told Springer, 22, of his holiday plans and that he had £2,000 cash kept at his flat for spending money.
Prosecutor Mark Florida- James said Springer had relayed this information to her then boyfriend, who told her to go back and get the money.
She recruited James Page, who was only 17 at the time, and Paul Douglas as “muscle”.
After opening the door, Mr Mann was overpowered by the two men, who wore hoods over their faces, as they barged their way in.
During the struggle, Page, who was armed with a knife, stabbed Mr Mann.
The father-of-two then faked a heart attack to stop the assault, prompting the two men to begin searching his home for cash.
Seeing his opportunity, Mr Mann dashed outside his St Matthews Close home to raise the alarm. It was only then he realised he had been stabbed.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, he said: “There was blood everywhere. The adrenaline was pumping and I didn’t realise what had happened.”
As Mr Mann stood outside, he saw the trio flee the scene. He was taken to hospital suffering from a punctured lung.
Mum-of-two Springer, of Ovington Road, Eastleigh, and Douglas, 24, of no fixed abode, were jailed for four years.
Page, 18, of Obelisk Road, Southampton was handed a three-year prison term.
After the case Mr Mann said: “I just hope they realise what they have done. I could be dead.
I still get anxious in my flat and I think I will always suffer from the effects of what happened to me. I just hope they learn their lesson.”
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