AN Okehampton man has admitted carrying out a knifepoint street robbery in which the victim suffered multiple stab wounds.

Tyndall Swinnerton and another man, Tyrone Shellam, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Martin Green during the mugging in the centre of Torquay days before Christmas.

The men denied a more serious charge of attempted murder, which is not being pursued.

Swinnerton, aged 25, of North Road, Okehampton, and Shellam, aged 29, of Preston Downs Road, Paignton, both admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and robbery.

The robbery was of a rucksack and its contents which the pair stole from Mr Green during the attack on December 16, 2021.

Swinnerton admitted possession of a knife while Shellam pleaded guilty to possession of a golf club as an offensive weapon at the time of the attack in Trematon Avenue, Torquay.

Judge Peter Johnson adjourned the case until February 10 so a decision could be made on whether a fact-finding hearing will be needed to decide if the attack was pre-planned.

He ordered the charge of attempted murder, which both denied, should lie on file and not be proceeded with.

Both defendants appeared by video link from Exeter Prison and were remanded in custody.

An area in the centre of Torquay near the Castle Chambers building in Union Street was cordoned off by the police after the victim was found with stab wounds at 10.20 pm on the evening of December 16.

Trematon Avenue, Magdalene Road and Upton Park remain closed the next day while police inquiries and searches are carried out.

A police dog was deployed to follow the route which the men are thought to have taken towards Upton Road.