THE jury are out in the trial of a man accused of attempting to murder his cousin after stabbing him four times in a car wash near Newport.

Albanian-born Albert Matmuja, of Newnham Place in Cwmbran, is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court accused of the attempted murder of Ardjan Matmuja in an incident on Tregwilyn Road in Rogerstone, on June 20 last year.

Earlier this week the jury heard the father-of-three stabbed Ardjan Matmuja four times after the pair fought at the Star Car Wash, Criddle’s Garage.

The jury of eight men and four women were sent out to deliberate this morning.

Judge Eleri Rees asked jurors to reach an unanimous verdict.

The prosecution claim the fact Albert Matmuja stabbed his cousin more than once proves he intended to kill or cause serious harm, but the defendant said he was acting in self-defence because he thought his life was in "big danger" as he was under attack, the court has heard.

Ardjan Matmuja sustained stab wounds to the groin, back, left leg, and under the armpit as a result of the alleged attack.

The court heard 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”.

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

Proceeding