The victim of a stabbing attack in Reading Walkabout bar may never work again and will need ongoing care, a court has been told on the second day of a trial into the incident. 

The trial at Reading Crown Court opened yesterday, when the jury heard how Tharel Thompson was attacked in Walkabout bar in Friar Street in the early hours of Sunday, February 11. 

The 28-year-old tourist from Barbados had been on holiday in the UK for just three days before the attack in the Reading bar, which left Mr Thompson with a life-changing stab wound to the head, the prosecution has argued. 

British Army soldier Krisma Anthony, 23, and Jahlil Charles, 22, both stand charged with attempted murder. They have pleaded not guilty to the charge. Neither of the men had been convicted of a crime prior to the incident, the prosecution told the jury. 

Today in court, Mr Ernest John Sinar, a consultant neurosurgeon with more than two decades experience, said that Mr Thompson has in-effect suffered 'a major stroke' that meant he would likely require support with 'everything'.

Mr Sinar said that Mr Thompson's injuries may affect his life expectancy - and it is likely that he will need ongoing care for tasks like dressing and undressing. 

Mr Sinar said: "He's not going to work. He's going to require help with dressing and undressing. He's a major stroke victim - except he's a young man."

The first witness of the day - a customer of the Walkabout bar on the night of the attack - told the court how the nightclub corridor had 'blood everywhere' after the attack. 

They said: "When the victim turned to us, blood was spurting out from what looked like the middle of his face."

The witness said they believe the attack was over in about 40 seconds. 

In the hours after the attack in Walkabout, Mr Anthony exchanged a series of WhatsApp messages - some later deleted - with a contact saved as 'Wife', the prosecutor Mr Jonathan Stone told the court. 

One recovered message sent from Mr Anthony to 'Wife' after the attack, according to Mr Stone, read: "Just know I love you baby."

Mr Stone said another later message from 'Wife' to Mr Anthony read 'you're scaring me - what's up baby?'

After Mr Anthony was arrested earlier this year, police found a serrated knife in Mr Anthony's room in Woolwich Barracks, where he was a soldier serving in the British Army. 

Blood samples found on the knife, as well as on a hat, jacket, and trainers belonging to Mr Anthony, were all linked to Mr Thompson.

The trial is set to resume on Friday.