Constable Jacob Vella ‘lucky to survive’ stabbing near major artery

One the day his alleged attacker faced court, Constable Jacob Vella was “in significant pain” recovering from major surgery after being slashed across the across the throat.

A young Sydney police officer is lucky to be alive after he was allegedly stabbed in the neck just one millimetre away from a major artery.

Police say Constable Jacob Vella, 24, underwent major surgery after he was slashed across the across the throat and hand with the “crude” homemade spear while serving a warrant on Tuesday.

Rory Constantino has been charged with assault. Picture: Twitter/9NewsSydney

The 24-year-old bodybuilder had tried to arrest Rick Constantino on outstanding firearm offences when his son Rory Constantino allegedly attacked him just before 7am at their Sadleir home.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said Const. Vella is lucky he didn’t die.

“The surgeon said this morning that it (the weapon) missed the main artery in his neck by 1mm, so he was very lucky,” he said on Wednesday.

“He’s in significant pain … he can’t turn his head, and he’s not feeling very well.”

Rory Constantino’s mother Lisa Feeny said “oh my god!” and burst into tears when her 27-year-old son entered Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday with a bruised black eye.

His sister held the sobbing’s mum knee as the court heard Rory Constantino will remain behind bars at least until his bail application on June 24.

Rory Constantino’s 58-year-old father Rick was also charged with assaulting another officer with a baseball bat.

He faced the same court, which heard he too will remain locked up until at least the same date as his son.

A homemade weapon allegedly used in the assault.

Seriously injured officer Constable Jacob Vella. Picture: AAP/NSW Police

Rory Constantino hung his head during the short matter but tried to blow a kiss to his mum as he was taken away by court officers.

“I was very upset to see him like this,” Ms Feeny said outside court. “He’s a good boy.”

Police allege the younger Constantino charged at Const. Vella with a steel shaft strapped to the end of a wooden stick at the Heckenberg Ave home on Tuesday.

The part-time personal trainer stumbled out of the house clutching his neck and screamed for help before he collapsed near the road.

His partner arrested both men, called for backup and Const. Vella was rushed to Liverpool Hospital for emergency surgery where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Both officers were in plain clothes at the time of the incident.

Const. Vella joined the force in April 2017 and his ordeal prompted outrage from both the police force and union, who say more than 50 officers were being assaulted every week across NSW.

Jacob Vella is also a body builder. Picture: Instagram

He is in serious condition. Picture: Instagram

Rory Constantino was charged with wounding Const. Vella with intent to resist arrest, wounding a police officer executing duty reckless as to actual bodily harm, and wilfully obstructing Constable Grant Koschel in execution of duty.

He is also facing two counts each of assaulting and resisting an officer in the execution of duty in relation to Sergeant Matthew Thomson and Constable Nathan Brown.

His father was charged with using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, assaulting Const. Koschel in execution of duty and the outstanding warrant.

Rick Constantino had been due to face court last week on unauthorised and unregistered firearm possession charges when a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Forensic services at the scene of the stabbing at Heckenberg Ave, Sadlier.

Police at the scene after the incident.

Rory Constantino’s 17-year-old brother Blake Feeney was killed on Good Friday 2018 when the Uber he was sharing with friends was struck by a car that had crossed over to the wrong side of Campbelltown Rd at Woodbine.

Last month Robbie David Crowley pleaded guilty to manslaughter and three counts of aggravated dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm over the fiery eight-car pileup.

Rory Constantino, who has a passion for making electronic music, lamented that his little brother died before his 18th birthday “because some selfish, weak scumbag was on a suicide mission”.

“(It’s) a nausea that can’t be explained,” he posted on Facebook after Mr Feeney died.

“My brother … my blood. You were a soldier and a lion. Now you can protect us.”

Originally published as Constable Jacob Vella ‘lucky to survive’ stabbing near major artery