Knifeman Leonard Morrison may still face a murder charge if Samuel Marriott-Gray dies, the Oxford Mail has learned.

Morrison, 37, was last week given a life sentence - with a minimum of nine years in jail - after he was found guilty of attempted murder and told his savage attack was as bad as murder.

The jury was told Mr Mariott-Gray will remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his life, but last night Det Supt Steve Tolmie said the 21-year-old might still die from his horrific injury.

And if he does senior detectives will look at charging Morrison - an overstayer who goes by the streetname of Goldteeth - with murder.

Mr Marriott-Gray was stabbed with a 10cm blade following an argument outside a party in Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys, last year.

Mr Tolmie, of Thames Valley Police's major crime unit, said a change in the law had removed a restriction that prevented police from charging over a death if it occurred one year and a day after the actual attack had happened.

He said: "It was very, very close to Samuel dying and even now there is every chance he could lose his life.

"If he does lose his life we will be speaking of further charges. Samuel's family are aware of this."

A decision to further prosecute would have to be made between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

It would almost certainly rest on whether prosecutors felt there was a public interest in laying further charges and having another trial that would cost taxpayers thousands of pounds when Morrison has been convicted of attempted murder, is serving a life sentence and may be thrown out of the country when released.

However, Mr Tolmie indicated police had not closed the case. "We would speak to the CPS and jointly it would be reviewed," he said.