A JURY has heard police interviews with a man who stabbed his cousin four times but claims he acted in self defence.

Albert Matmuja, from Albania but living in Newnham Place, Cwmbran, stabbed Arjan Matmuja four times after the pair fought at the Star Car Wash, Criddle’s Garage, Tregwilym Road, Rogerstone, on June 20 last year, Cardiff Crown Court was told yesterday.

Prosecuting, Mike Hammett read a summary of police interviews with the defendant.

Albert Matmuja told officers that Arjan Matmuja had send him text messages saying he wanted £800 for a caravan left at the business, which Arjan Matmuja has sold to him a year before.

He outlined that on the day of the incident, he had been at work since 8.30am and was completing a valet on a car, when Arjan Matmuja turned up and punched him very hard to the face. This knocked him to the floor and caused his mouth to bleed.

He claims that Arjan Matmuja then went to the boot of the car.

Albert Matmuja told officers in interview that he “did not know what he (Arjan) was going to get, maybe a gun”.

So he picked up a knife with a six inch blade, adding “I thought he was going to kill me”.

He said that he did not mean to stab him but Arjan Matmuja “rushed towards” him.

“I do not know where the knife went,” he added, explaining in interview that he armed himself with the knife in order to protect himself and has “never intended to cause harm to anyone”.

The court were also read a statement from a nearby garage worker, who became aware of the incident when a man came and told him to call the police because someone had been stabbed.

He recalled how he saw Arjan Matmuja running towards his own car, with this hand to his side and blood soaking through his shirt, before driving off.

The officer in the case, detective constable Elaine Newbury, gave evidence, outlining that a piece of wood was taken from the scene and analysed by the forensic unit and blood on it was found to belong to the defendant.

From the incident, Arjan Matmuja sustained stab wounds to the groin, back, left leg, and under the armpit.

The court were told that doctors at the Royal Gwent Hospital described him as being in a “critical condition” with bleeding in the chest cavity and a deflated lung.

He was placed on intensive care following a blood transfusion after losing a significant amount of blood, and doctors said “without immediate intervention he would have died”.

After his arrest on the morning of the incident, Albert Matmuja complained of feeling dizzy. He was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital and an x-ray revealed a possible fracture to his right cheek.

Albert Matmuja has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, and also to an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Proceeding