Wincheap stabbing victim Alexander Mackay rebuilds life after attack by pub landlord Ralph Latchana
Stabbing victim Alexander
Mackay
by Jamie Bullen and Paul Hooper
A man stabbed in the street by the husband
of a woman he was having an affair with has spoken of his struggle
to get his life back on track.
Alexander Mackay, 66, was repeatedly attacked by 61-year-old
Ralph Latchana with a five-inch carving knife after ramming his car
off the road in Wincheap.
Pub landlord Latchana this week admitted
trying to murder Mr Mackay in front of shocked passers by in
September.
The court heard Latchana, who ran the nearby Maiden's
Head pub, deliberately crashed his Mercedes into a van before
jumping out and stabbing Mr Mackay.
An earlier hearing was told Mr Mackay was having an affair with
Latchana's partner Wendy Beharry, which led to the attack.
Mr Mackay, of Windsor Road, underwent a life-saving operation at
the William Harvey Hospital and was left critically ill for weeks
after falling into a coma.
He said: "When I heard he pleaded guilty I was just surprised
because I didn't think he would. I'm pleased I don't have to go to
court so it is a relief.
"The first week I woke up in hospital coming out of the coma I
didn't know anything and the first month was a bit of a
nightmare.
"Some times I wanted to live and some times I didn't but
gradually life is getting back to normal."
Mr Mackay, who works as a digger driver for a plant hire
company, has been signed off work since the attack and struggled to
walk when he left hospital.
He added: "As long as I can have a normal life there will be no
problems. For some time I couldn't walk and I couldn't even get up
and down the stairs.
"There is some scarring on but I hope my body will get back to
normal."
Alexander Mckay was
injured in Wincheap, Canterbury
Mr Mackay said he could return to his job in two months if he
passes a medical
He said his recovery has been aided by sons Matthew and Stewart,
daughter-in-law Louise, and his 86-year-old mum who travelled from
Scotland to be with him.
He said: “I've had a lot of support and it wouldn’t have been
easy without them. As long as I can have a normal life there will
be no problems.
“I do appreciate things in life a bit more than I used to the
simple things and it does make you the appreciate the people and
how good they can be.
"I no longer take things for granted and I'm thankful that I'm
still alive."
Latchana has been remanded in custody until sentencing.
16/01/13
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