Stab wounds inflicted on a teenager during a party at the Kursaal have left with him life-changing injuries, a court heard.

Nes Kisoka attacked the youth, aged 17 from Basildon, at the popular venue during a mass brawl at 1am on April 15.

The 18-year-old, of Eastern Esplanade, appeared at Basildon Crown Court to admit charges of wounding with intent and possession of a knife.

Prosecutors withdrew a charge of attempted murder in light of the pleas, despite Kisoka’s victim suffering up to 14 wounds to his chest and back.

The court heard Kisoka had earlier been willing to admit stabbing the youth, following a row in the cloak room area, but would deny taking the knife with him to the venue.

Charlotte Davison, prosecuting, said: “The decision was made that now he accepted he had gone to the venue armed with a knife that the crown would not be seeking a trial.”

Miss Davison said that the victim suffered a collapsed lung as a result of the attack and still has breathing difficulties.

An extract from his victim impact statement said that his injuries have had a lasting impact.

It stated: “I don’t know what the recovery time is for my injuries. I was in the first year of a college course and I will now have to start that again.

“I can’t go to work, I don’t know if I can return.”

Kisoka was arrested shortly after the incident close to the Penny Steps, on the Kursaal estate.

The knife used in the attack has not been found.

A 16-year-old boy, from Basildon, also suffered knife wounds and was taken to hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

Judge Samantha Leigh said there is “only one sentence” for Kisoka and that he could be looking at up to 16 years in prison.

But she ordered a more up-to-date victim impact statement to be prepared before she passes sentence.

She said: “The doctors said that the injuries had started to heal, but that doesn’t mean the physical or psychological effects are improving.”

She added: “It’s a sustained assault because there are a lot of stab wounds.

“It’s premeditated.You don’t carry a knife if you are not prepared to use it.” Kisoka will be sentenced next week.