A Te Puke man on trial accused of deliberately stabbing three other men with a kitchen knife during an unprovoked attack claims he acted in self-defence and feared for his safety.
However, one of his victims claims the altercation started after an argument over dinner not being prepared on time.
Gurcharan Singh, 36, whose trial began in Tauranga District Court yesterday, has denied one count of each of common assault, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and two charges of wounding with reckless disregard for the safety of others.
The charges stem from a stabbing incident that took place on July 27 last year at the accused and one of his alleged victim's home in Boucher Ave, Te Puke.
During his opening address, Crown prosecutor Greg Hollister-Jones told the jury the principle complainant Manjinder Singh and the accused who were former flatmates had shared a couple of drinks that night before they got into an argument.