A man who suffered serious stab wounds in an incident in Paceville last November recounted his ordeal in a court this morning.

Vasile Cojocaru recalled how he could see blood bubbling out of his chest after he was hit with a knife in Paceville.

Cojocaru was giving evidence in the court case against Joseph Buhagiar, 42, of Vittoriosa, who is pleading not guilty to trying to kill him and his friend George Mendo.

He said that the incident began at around 3.30 a.m. when Mr Buhagiar's partner stepped on some glass as  both of them were walking out of a nightclub.

Mr Cojocaru said the woman looked distressed and the next thing he knew, this woman grabbed a bottle broke it and tried to assault his girlfriend Maureen Farrugia, who is a nurse at Mater Dei hospital.

The woman's path was blocked by her boyfriend, Mr Buhagiar, and at that point, Mr Cojocaru said he tried to protect Ms Farrugia. He said that Mr Buhagiar reached into his pocket and stabbed him in the chest.

Two bouncers tried to separate the two men but the witness said Mr Buhagiar managed to hit him again.

He could remember looking down and seeing blood bubbling out of his chest and feeling more hits but only afterwards did he find out that he was stabbed eight times.

Mr Cojocaru said that  he is still feeling the effects such as pain in his chest. He was also put on a special diet, he added.

The case continues.

Police Inspectors Carlos Cordina and Luke Bonello prosecuted while lawyer Joe Giglio appeared for Mr Cojocaru and lawyer Arthur Azzopardi for Mr Buhagiar.