A 33-year-old man has been found guilty by a jury of viciously stabbing an acquaintance in Hitchin after an argument in a bar – with his victim said to be ‘lucky to have survived’.

The Comet: Police at the scene of the stabbing in October, at the corner of Fishponds Road and Bunyan Road in Hitchin.Police at the scene of the stabbing in October, at the corner of Fishponds Road and Bunyan Road in Hitchin. (Image: Archant)

Richard Campbell, of Downderry Road in Bromley, was convicted of GBH at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, following a two-week trial.

The stabbing happened at the corner of Hitchin’s Bunyan Road and Fishponds Road in the early hours of October 22, after Campbell and his victim were asked to leave The Venue in Bancroft.

The victim, a man in his late 30s who was known to Campbell, suffered what police initially described as life-threatening injuries to his abdomen and chest in the attack, but survived.

Campbell was arrested on November 3, and charged the next day.

Det Insp Lynda Coates, who led the investigation, said: “We are very pleased Campbell has been found guilty due to the severity of the injuries he inflicted on his victim, who was known to him.

“The victim is lucky to have survived the ferocity of this attack.

“My team of detectives worked extremely hard to identify and arrest Campbell, and to bring this case to court.

“We will now await the outcome of the sentencing in May.”

Campbell is set to be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on May 5.