The victim of a brutal attempted murder faced his attacker in court to speak of his horrific ordeal and praise the NHS staff who saved his life.

He said police told him paramedics were certain he would lose his life, once he had awoken from a medically induced coma at St George’s Hospital in Tooting between December 7 and 8.

The victim has attended more than 100 medical appointments relating to the assault and has undergone several operations to restore his facial features.

He now suffers from tinnitus, a constant ringing inside his head.

He said: “It is difficult to describe the effect this has on my life. It is very painful and can make conversing with female friends challenging.”

He has lost his sense of smell entirely, has a reduced sense of taste and a permanent numbness on the left side of his body.

He said: “I now have a much greater risk of developing diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer’s, depression and anxiety.

“It is difficult for me to think of how uncertain my future is because of this person who tried to kill me.”

The victim said he was initially uncertain how he would pay for all the necessary treatment, but was hugely grateful the NHS agreed to cover the estimated £600,000 cost.

He said: “I find it difficult to find the words to express how grateful I am to the NHS. The fact that I am standing here shows the doctors and nurses have performed a miracle.”

The victim said it was his love for his partner that gave him the determination to survive, and though his ordeal had put pressure on their relationship they were now closer than ever.

For the three months between the assault and Radkiewicz’s arrest the victim said he was terrified he might bump into his attacker.

He said: “I don’t know why anyone would want to kill anybody, let alone me.

“I have never been a threat to anybody. Why would anybody want to hurt me so much?”

The victim looked straight at his assailant and added: “All I can think is this person is exceptionally evil.

“I hope he will never have the opportunity to do this to anybody else. I am hoping that one day I will be able to cope with this. Some days are more difficult than others.”