IAN Austin can no longer read an article like this. Even if he could, he would probably forget it within hours.

The brutal, unprovoked stabbing he suffered in April near his front door left him with brain damage and a shattered life.

Mr Austin, (pictured) 35, of Earle's Mead, Greenmeadow, Cwmbran, suffered horrific injuries in a "frenzied" knife attack on April 23 by former neighbours Neil Thomas, 35, and Tracey Morgan, 34, then living at The Twinings.

The couple, who now live at Spring House, Cirencester, appeared before Cardiff crown court this week, and were warned they could face jail after admitting charges relating to that night.

But speaking after the case Mr Austin said: "If I had died, they would be facing a murder charge. Because I was strong and had the love of my family, I survived, and now they face lighter charges.

"Now I can't do the things I loved doing, like reading, DIY, cooking and looking after the three children. I can't drive and the boredom drives me crazy."

Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett had told the court how Morgan and Thomas were walking home when they met Mr Austin's friend, Jason Collier. An argument started and Morgan then attacked Mr Collier with a walking stick.

Mr Austin told the Argus he remembers asking Morgan and Thomas to move away because his children were sleeping, and then being attacked: "I was stabbed twice. I believe they were trying to kill me. I didn't know them at all."

He was on life support for six days and in hospital for 18 days. After being discharged, Mr Austin didn't recognise his children for the first week.

He can write but not read, so seven-year-old Megan is helping him learn. Sons Llywelyn, 14, and Aneurin, 10, also help him recover lost skills.

He has difficulty speaking and completing simple tasks, and he has tunnel vision in his right eye.

The damage is permanent and although he has improved over the last six months, doctors are unsure what to expect.

He said: "Imagine being ten again and having to start again from the beginning. Memories like my childhood and meeting Keran (his wife) have gone. I remember bits and pieces, but then I might forget it again. There's no point being down and I have to make sure I learn to do things better than before."

Keran, 34, added: "When he first came out he couldn't walk and he was talking gobbledegook. I was so frightened. It's been a big strain on a close family. "The attackers have taken his life from him."