A GWENT couple walked away and left a man to die after stabbing him 18 times, a court heard yesterday.

CCTV cameras filmed Paul Lewis, 55, and Kathleen Carey, 56, leaving a flat in Holly Road, Risca, where Tony Jenkins died.

The popular 46-year-old is believed to have died alone, 20 minutes after suffering wounds to his head, torso, arms and legs.

Lewis was more than five times over the legal drink-drive limit when the violence erupted following an argument over cannabis, Cardiff crown court heard. Lewis and Carey, both of Elm Drive, Risca, deny a charge of murder.

Carey was said to have had traces of opiates and amphetamines in her body after the incident.

Ian Murphy, QC, prosecuting, said evidence seemed to show that Lewis was holding the victim on the settee in the lounge while his partner carried out the stabbing.

The court heard that attack happened late on May 14 last year following an evening of drinking with three others.

"It was an unlawful attack which the prosecution say has all the ingredients of murder," said Mr Murphy.

"The defendants were alone with Tony Jenkins in his flat for some 50 minutes and the prosecution say they left the flat together after beating, stabbing and slashing him, probably with a knife."

Pedestrians who passed Lewis and Carey as they were walking home noticed they were bloodstained, the court was told.

And residents living near Mr Jenkins described how his door was left open but his severely injured body was not discovered until after 9am the following day. Lewis and Carey were then arrested.

Mr Jenkins' blood was later found on the clothes of the accused, and two knives, which are believed to have been used, were also recovered - one from the flat and the other from the defendants' home, it is claimed.

A small vacuum cleaner could also have been used as a weapon, and Carey could have stabbed her partner accidentally during the incident, the court heard.

"There is compelling evidence that the two defendants were involved in a brutal attack which was prolonged," said Mr Murphy.

"Even if Kathleen only used the knife, the attack was so repeated and prolonged to so many different parts of his body that Paul must have known the attack was going on.

"He was involved by using physical force to restrain him and prevent him defending himself. The prosecution say the defendants acted jointly."

Proceeding