Gbassy Khan appeared at Chester Crown Court charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Khan, 29, of Nicholas Street, admitted assaulting Michael John Christopher Rodaway on Bridge Street Row, but denied intending to cause the victim serious harm.

The court heard both men were homeless and moved between various hostels. They also had mental health problems and had a disagreement on the day of the assault.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said Mr Rodaway, 25, was walking along Bridge Street Row towards Handbridge at about 8.15pm on February 1 when he was approached by Khan. He slashed Mr Rodaway across the face and stabbed him in the abdomen.

Mr Hussey said Mr Rodaway had been drinking during the day and had a bottle of sherry confiscated by police shortly before the attack.

"He went around the corner onto Bridge Street Row, and further down, near the steps, he was met by Mr Khan.

"He said the defendant called out to him and demanded to know why he had been making racist remarks about him," said Mr Hussey.

"Mr Rodaway said he hadn't and was unaware why Mr Khan was making such allegations. He tried to walk away and turned around so the defendant stepped towards him.

"He saw him pull out, from the right side of his trousers, what looked like a knife. It had a thin blade, about four inches in length, more like a spike.

"The implement was raised up and he was slashed across his face, his left cheek was gashed through. Mr Khan then thrust the weapon into the abdomen causing a puncture. The defendant then walked off leaving Mr Rodaway bleeding heavily from his face."

The court heard Mr Rodaway was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital and received several stitches to his face. He did not require stitches for the wound on his stomach but spent four days in hospital.

Mr Rodaway gave evidence on the first day of the trial and said he had been homeless for six or seven years. He said he had been drinking during the day but was not intoxicated.

Speaking of the assault, he said: "My name was shouted and it was an angry voice, an angry, aggressive voice. He was very close to me and as I turned around his face was screwed up in an aggressive manner.

"That was when he put his hand down the back of his pants and that's when a knife, a blade, was pulled out."

Peter Moss, defending, said Mr Khan said Mr Rodaway was drunk and had racially abused him during an argument at a day centre hours earlier. Mr Khan denied he used a knife.

Mr Moss said: "Mr Khan said he punched out at you and you continued to racially abused him, then he picked up a piece of glass that was lying on the row."

Mr Rodaway denied the allegation he used racist language.

Proceeding