INQUEST heard how a man ran for help as his brother-in-law launched a frenzied knife attack on his mother.

Andrew Field suffered stab wounds himself before muscle-bound brute Sebastian Mercante, 40, stabbed Carol Berry to death on March 5.

Mercante – an Argentinean former member of the French Foreign Legion – was estranged from Mrs Berry’s daughter, Elizabeth Tootill, 31.

The inquests on both Mrs Berry and Mercante were opened in the same court at the same time.

Mercante and Elizabeth had been living together in Tenerife since 2005, but problems developed in their relationship and she left him to return to England after a visit from her mother.

Mercante had been searching for Mrs Tootill when he attacked Mrs Berry. He later jumped to his death from a multi-storey car park in Manchester.

Bradford Coroner’s Court heard Mrs Berry, 66, and Mr Field, 36, had been watching TV on Friday, March 5 this year when the security lights came on outside their home in Bradley Road, Bradley.

Mr Field went out to investigate and was confronted by a large man he initially failed to recognise. Chief Insp Christopher Walker, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Andrew Field answered the door and an intimidating and large man burst into the house and a struggle took place. He didn’t realise who it was until later."

After a struggle outside the house, the pair moved into the hallway, where Mr Field recognised Mercante.

When Mrs Berry came to see what was happening, she was attacked.

Chief Insp Walker told the court Mr Field suffered a knife wound to the neck.

His mother told him to run to get help. When he returned she was on the floor seriously injured.

Ambulance crews arrived to find Mrs Berry, a mother-of-four, on the floor bleeding badly from several stab wounds.

Both victims were taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary but Mrs Berry was pronounced dead later that evening. Mr Field, who underwent surgery, is now recovering.

Police in Manchester discovered Mercante’s body outside a car park in the city centre the following day.

Inquiries are ongoing to trace the killer’s family.

The inquest has been adjourned pending the results of the police investigation.