A DRUG addict who launched a vicious knife attack and stole £900 from an elderly victim has been put behind bars. 

Dusan Vavrek, 41, first met his victim - a neighbour at a multi-occupancy address in Westcliff - in 2020. 

After moving out, Vavrek continued to regularly go to the victim’s address, sometimes asking for money for cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. 

On March 31, the defendant visited his victim - a man in his 70s - who invited him into his flat and offered him a cup of coffee. 

Sentenced - Dusan VavrekSentenced - Dusan Vavrek (Image: Essex Police)

Vavrek appeared to be “agitated and uptight” and seemed to be suffering the effects of withdrawal. 

His agitation grew and he turned violent.

Vavrek grabbed the victim, drew a large axe and demanded money, threatening to kill the victim if he refused. 

He then drew a Stanley knife, and slashed his victim's right hand and head repeatedly with force. 

The victim gave Vavrek a wallet containing £900, which Vavrek took and left his bleeding victim. 

Near the communal bathroom, a neighbour saw the victim and alerted the emergency services.

The pensioner had suffered five wounds which all needing stitching. 

Police found Vavrek sleeping rough in a car park in Victoria Avenue on April 3.

Officers searched him and discovered he was carrying a knife. 

Vavrek first claimed to suffer from memory loss due to his drug habits, but later admitted robbery, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and three counts of possession of a bladed article. 

He was jailed for nine years and two months at Basildon Crown Court last week. 

Southend district commander Chief Insp Dave Browning said: “The victim in this case thought he was going to die at the hands of this violent offender. 

“He describes the look in Vavrek’s eyes as ‘desperate’ and a ‘killer look’. He told us Vavrek ‘meant business’. 

“This was a horrendous assault carried out against a man who had shown nothing but good will and kindness to Vavrek. 

“This case illustrates the wider offending which flows from the supply and use of Class A drugs. 

“Addiction causes desperation and devastation, fuelling violent knife crime, disorder and theft. 

“We have teams of officers and detectives working across Southend, in local and community policing, CID and our serious violence unit, to tackle this issue. 

“We’re committed to bringing the perpetrators of knife crime to justice, but also look to work with partners in the health sector and the criminal justice system to identify the causes and trends fuelling this offending. 

“From the outset of this investigation we were determined to get justice for the victim and soon identified Vavrek as the person responsible. 

“He has been handed a lengthy sentence as a result of this extensive investigation.”