A pensioner has admitted stabbing a man in the chest in a shocking attack.

The 47-year-old was rushed to hospital following the Saturday night stabbing at an address in James Street, St Marys, with armed police and helicopters swarming the area.

Yesterday, moments before his trial was set to begin at Southampton Crown Court, Boguslaw Biela, 66, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

He was initially charged with attempted murder - but the prosecution accepted the new plea after discussions yesterday morning. 

READ MORE: St Mary's: Man appears in court charged with attempted murder

The incident at 10pm on July 15 shocked neighbours - and police stepped up their patrols in the immediate aftermath of the incident. 

Southampton Chief Inspector Christopher Douglas said at the time: “We know that reports of this nature will understandably be concerning to the public, however, we would like to reassure you that this incident took place between people known to each other and we do not believe there to be any wider risk to anybody else at the current time."

But one resident of James Street, who asked to remain anonymous, said she fears for her safety even more now than she did at the time of the stabbing.

She said: "I've lived here for over 20 years and it's definitely worse now than it was before.

"I don't go anywhere at night as it doesn't feel safe. There's lots of anti-social behaviour with people smoking cannabis and kids playing football in the car park.

"The police know about it as I got a letter through my door, so why don't they do anything?

"If I won the lottery I'd move away from here in a heartbeat. It doesn't surprise me anymore when these things happen but I just keep myself out of it, you don't want to get involved."

Biela has been remanded in custody and will appear at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing on February 9.