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Mr Perks only survived the attack due to quick action of paramedics and “amazing surgical skill.” Jurors were told 95 percent of victims with similar injuries would have died.

Brooks fled the scene but was later arrested in hospital after he had been discovered cold and asleep in a neighbouring garden, the court heard.

The consultant hated Mr Perks and “wanted him out of the way” as he was a witness in ongoing discipline proceedings against Brooks, the jury was told.

Dressed in camouflage gear and wearing a head torch, Brooks cycled to Mr Perks’ home armed with a “crowbar, cans of petrol, matches and a knife,” said Tracy Ayling, QC, prosecuting.

“His intention was, say the Crown, to break into Mr Perks’ house, set fire to it and, if necessary, stab Mr Perks,” Ms Ayling said.

“In short, he intended to kill Mr Perks.”

Brooks, a burns injury specialist, burgled the victim’s house in Halam, Notts, in the early hours of January 14, last year, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Mr Perks, his wife Beverley and their son Henry were in the house at the time.

“He broke in through the conservatory and spread the petrol around the ground floor of the house,” Ms Ayling said.

“When Mr Perks heard a noise and came downstairs, Mr Brooks used his knife to stab Mr Perks in the abdomen and then made his escape.

“Luckily, Mrs Perks and their son Henry Perks were also in the house. They raised the alarm and soon police and ambulance attended.

“Because of quick action and amazing surgical skill, Graeme Perks lives.

“His surgeon’s opinion is that 95 percent of people suffering the injury inflicted on Mr Perks would have died.”

The discipline case against Brooks had begun three days before the incident, the jury was told.

Ms Ayling added: “There is no question but that by January 14, the defendant had had enough of those proceedings.”

“Just as clearly, the Crown say, he decided that instead of following the law he was going to take the law into his own hands.”

“The prosecution does not have to prove a motive for any crime, let alone the crimes you will be considering.”

“However, it is clear that the defendant hated Graeme Perks and you can conclude on the evidence that he wanted him out of the way.”

Brooks took two 10-litre jerry cans of fuel to his fellow plastic surgeon’s house and spread some on the stairs, the court heard.

A fire investigation dog later found “clear indications” of petrol on the ground floor and, “most importantly”, on the staircase from the first step up to the fifth, Ms Ayling said.

She added: “It was in the middle of night. The only exit point for those sleeping upstairs would have been the stairs. A fire raging downstairs and on the stairs would also have spread.”

“The purpose must have been to kill those in the property and to make sure, stop them escaping down the staircase.”

Mr Perks was alerted by a “loud noise” from downstairs and was attacked when he went to investigate, the jury was told.

After stabbing his colleague, Brooks cycled home back leaving behind “many of the items that he had taken with him because he had been disturbed and had had to resort to the use of a knife rather than fire,” Ms Ayling said.

Brooks had cut himself during the burglary and left a trail of blood at his house, she added.

He then left and was later found asleep in a neighbouring garden, Ms Ayling told the jury.

Brooks, of Southwell, Notts denies attempted murder, three counts of arson with intent to endanger the lives of Mr Perks, his wife and son and possession of a knife in a public place.

The trial continues.

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