Accused insists stabbing was self-defence

Tauranga Court House.

The Te Puke man accused of stabbing three other men with a knife claims he was only protecting himself after receiving threats he would be killed and was beaten with a hockey stick.

Gurcharan Singh, 37, on trial in Tauranga District Court has denied one count 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 on July 27, 2012 at Singh's and one of his victim's home in Boucher Ave, Te Puke.

Manjinder Singh, 30, who was stabbed with such force it fracture a rib and almost split his kidney, earlier told the court that it was an unprovoked attack which occurred after the accused became angry over dinner not being ready. The other two men were stabbed when they tried to grab the knife, he said.

Yesterday, the accused told the jury that the argument was instigated by Manjinder Singh who was angry at him for interfering in a dispute over an associate's decision to leave a job made possible by Manjinder Singh's boss, Yawinder Singh.

Yawinder Singh said he hit the accused with the hockey stick to disarm him after he stabbed his colleague and denied making threats to kill him.

Defence lawyer Glenn Dixon told the jury they would also hear from the accused's flatmates whose evidence confirmed his client's version of events. The trial continues today.