A school security guard who came close to death after being stabbed by a former pupil is to return to work next week.

Kariim Wales, who celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday, said he was looking forward to going back but felt a little apprehensive.

He was stabbed in the head, neck, arm and shoulder while patrolling CedarBridge Academy in March. He suffered a collapsed lung and had to undergo a tracheotomy to enable him to breathe.

For a couple of days after the attack, he required round-the-clock attention in the Intensive Care Unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital - his family unsure whether or not he would survive.

Mr. Wales, a father of three, said yesterday: "I am looking forward to going back. I have some issues I have to deal with but I think going back will help me.

"Physically, I feel a lot better now. Certain foods and drinks bother my throat but I think it's just a case of getting accustomed again.

"I always knew I was going to pull through, I was not ready to give up."

His wife, Kim, said the couple also celebrated their six month wedding anniversary yesterday.

She said: "I didn't think Kariim was going to make it to his birthday and I didn't think I would have a husband to mark our six month anniversary.

"After his lung collapsed, the doctors could not tell us whether or not he would make it. Things have turned out for the best.

"I love him very much and I hope we have many more years together."

Mr. Wales said he will return to his post at CedarBridge next Monday, May 13.