A knifeman who tried to kill his cousin by slicing her from cheek to jowl and stabbing her in the stomach has been sent to a secure mental hospital.

Darren Paratian, 34, grabbed Vimla Mahadoo by the throat and told her: “I’m killing you,” as he attacked with a carving knife, aiming for her jugular vein.

The attack happened at Ms Mahadoo’s home in Ilford last August 12, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Ms Mahadoo tried to escape but Paratian, formerly of Henley Road, Ilford, followed her and stabbed her in the abdomen five or six times.

Paratian attempted to gouge her eye and slashed her face as the victim collapsed on her driveway, jurors heard.

Ms Mahadoo was rushed to hospital after a horrified neighbour alerted police. She now suffers permanent scarring.

Giving evidence, tearful Ms Mahadoo visibly shook as she told the court of her ordeal.

Ms Mahadoo told how, prior to Paratian’s arrival, she was using a carving knife to cut bread and cheese.

“He grabbed me with one hand from behind and then got the knife,” she said.

“It seemed the knife was going towards my neck.

“I was pulling at his arm to get away and screamed ‘’What are you doing?’’

“He said ‘I’m killing you.’

“I think he must have got me at least 10 to 12 times in my neck.

The court heard Paratian suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and remains “floridly psychotic and deluded’”.

A jury found him guilty of wounding with intent, which he denied

Judge Martyn Zeidman ordered Paratian be detained indefinitely at the John Howard Centre psychiatric unit under sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Acts

The judge also paid tribute to Ms Mahadoo for “so bravely giving evidence”.

A separate count of attempted murder was laid on file.