POLICE are closing in on their hunt for a knifeman who repeatedly stabbed a man after a house party turned to violence.

The victim was stabbed five times in his legs and upper thighs during the frenzied attack on a Southampton street two months ago.

It is thought the trouble broke out in Meggeson Avenue after partygoers spilled out of a nearby home during the early hours of the morning.

After information given to detectives, a specialist search team has recovered the knife used in the attack from the bottom of a pond.

Officers sent the weapon for forensic testing. This has proved it was the weapon that had been used to carry out the assault on the 27-year-old man who had to undergo emergency surgery.

The knife was found in Cutbush Hidden Pond, not far from where the large scale fight took place at 3am on Saturday March 13. Other seized items are also being forensically tested.

Detectives today urged the person responsible to give himself up before they pay him a visit.

They also urged witnesses who may hold vital information to speak out.

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Det Con Howard Broadribb, from Bitterne CID, said: “I do feel that there are witnesses who still hold vital clues to complete the picture and to hold everyone accountable for what happened that morning. I want to remind those outstanding witnesses of the fear and distress that this incident caused to those living nearby, and also to the victim.

“I ask that if anyone holds any piece of information, no matter how insignificant they feel it may be, to contact me.

“Finally, I appeal once again to the person who caused the injuries to consider how fortunate it was that the knife did not cause a fatal wound on that morning.

“Carrying a knife for any reason is a dangerous and a silly thing to do and is something that must be stopped.”

Anyone with information should call Bitterne CID on 101.