A man was stabbed with the same penknife he had refused in exchange for cocaine, a court heard yesterday.

Julian Cuschieri, 51, from Cospicua, tried to offer Stefano Caruana a penknife for the drugs but when he said no the two got involved in a scuffle.

During the fight, Mr Caruana was knifed.

Police sergeant Arthur Rizzo testified that the victim and his girlfriend said the incident took place on October 21 when Mr Caruana and his girlfriend, Christabelle Azzopardi, were abusing drugs at a house in Triq l-Inkurunażżjoni in Cospicua, a few metres from the police station.

Mr Cuschieri was also present but did not have any drugs or money, so he offered Mr Caruana the penknife in exchange for some cocaine.

When he turned down the offer, Mr Cuschieri stabbed him in the chest

Mr Rizzo was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Mr Cuschieri who is accused of attempting to kill Mr Caruana. He is also denying possession of cocaine and heroin.

Mr Rizzo told Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit that the penknife was not found.

“When I spoke to Mr Caruana at hospital he told me that on the day, he and Mr Cuschieri had been abusing of cocaine.

“He told me that Mr Cuschieri wanted drugs in exchange for a penknife and when he turned down the offer, Mr Cuschieri stabbed him in the chest,” he said.

Constable John Paul Young said he was at the Cospicua police station on the night in question when, just after midnight, he heard screams outside the station.

When he went outside, he found Mr Caruana holding the right side of his chest with blood oozing from a wound.

The victim and his girlfriend said Mr Cuschieri had stabbed him.

Mr Cuschieri was arrested some time later and he offered no resistance.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted while lawyer Christopher Chircop appeared for the accused.