A man who cut his partner’s throat and stabbed her more than 30 times has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Jay Clark, 35, launched a “brutal and sustained” knife attack on mother-of-two Khalen Hunter at their home in Enfield, during the first Covid-19 lockdown.

The incident, in the early hours of April 25, 2020, was interrupted by their next door neighbour, who showed “considerable bravery” and broke down the door, jurors were told.

After the police had arrived, Ms Hunter, now 33, was taken from the scene by helicopter to the major trauma unit at the Royal London Hospital.

Doctors found that her external carotid artery which carries blood to the brain had been almost completely cut.

Prosecutor Mark Paltenghi had said: “She had multiple slash or stab wounds all over her body – so many, in fact, that the doctors stopped counting once they got beyond 30.”

Ms Hunter remains very unwell and has never given a witness statement about what happened.

But Mr Paltenghi told jurors: “There is compelling evidence from which you can be sure that it was Mr Clark who carried out this terrifying attack, given that he was interrupted whilst it was taking place, and that when the police arrived he was seen standing over Ms Hunter in the communal hallway, with a knife held against her throat.”

The jury was told the key issue in the case was Clark’s mental state at the time.

Clark had denied responsibility for the attack on the basis that he was insane at the time.

On Tuesday, a jury rejected his defence and found him unanimously guilty of attempted murder following a retrial at the Old Bailey.

After the verdict, Judge Philip Katz KC observed that Clark had become “increasingly aggressive” towards his partner and developed a “delusional belief she was cheating on him”.

The judge praised the “conspicuous bravery” of the neighbour who came to her aid and recommended him for an award.

He adjourned sentencing for reports until October 14.