A man accused of attempted murder yesterday claimed he was being strangled by the victim when he was forced to use his penknife in self-defence.

Taking the witness stand, the accused, Emanuel Farrugia, 44, of Sliema also known as Il-Kampjun, told jurors that one minute he was relieving himself against a wall in Attard and the next, Carmelo Falzon, of Żabbar, was swearing at him and challenging him to a fight.

Mr Farrugia is pleading not guilty to the attempted murder of Mr Falzon, who was slashed in the head and face, on October 13, 2008. Mr Farrugia testified that on the night in question he formed part of the Kubana Bar billiard team that played a friendly match against the Mosta Billiard Hall at the Santa Maria Stella Levantina band club in Attard.

He said everything seemed to be fine and everyone was buying drinks for each other. He bought drinks for the victim and vice versa. The trouble only started once he left the club at about midnight.

As he was urinating against a wall, he recounted, the victim started shouting and swearing at him and he decided to cross the road to ask him what the problem was.

All of a sudden Mr Falzon, who was with another two men, were hitting and kicking him. He tried to get away and made it to the middle of the road. He kicked the victim and fell down himself.

Mr Falzon then jumped on him and started to strangle him, at which point he managed to take a penknife out of his back pocket and waved it at the accused.

Breaking down in tears, Mr Farrugia said he never meant to seriously injure Mr Falzon but had simply acted in self-defence from the onslaught as the victim strangled and punched him.

Under cross-examination, the accused said he had taken the knife to the match by mistake.

The case continues.

Lawyers Chris Cardona and Mark Vassallo appeared for the accused.

Lawyer Maurizio Cordina appeared for the Attorney General’s Office.