A MAN stabbed a rugby player with a sword because he didn't like being disrespected, a prosecutor told a court yesterday.

Injured Mark Wheeler, 41 of Ringland, was hospitalised after his throat was cut following violence outside the Friendship Pub on January 15, Newport crown court heard.

Franz Germain, 25 of Cot Farm Circle, and his brother Kenode Germain, 23 of Ringland Centre, have pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, alternative charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm, violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon.

Niambashi Allen, of Cot Farm Circle and Martin Douglas, 26 of Llanwern Road, have pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.

Kenode Germain told the court the incident had started when a friend of Mr Wheeler, Stanley Henshaw, allegedly punched Niambashi Allen's brother Samandi Allen outside the pub.

Kenode Germain also claimed Mr Wheeler had punched him in the back of the head at the same time.

Huw Evans, prosecuting, said: "The truth is you and Samandi were trying to make yourselves look like big men.

"Samandi was being cheeky to Stanley and so he gave him a slap, not a punch.

"You didn't like that because it was disrespect, so you got your friends but knew you couldn't fight Mr Henshaw because he's too big."

Kenode Germain said he had gone back to the pub to talk about why Samandi Allen had been punched and denied the group had brought swords with them or wanted to cause violence.

Douglas had been called by Kenode to meet them and talk about the situation, the court was told.

After watching his friends argue with Richey for ten minutes by the bus stop he said he was fed up and went home.

He said: "As I started walking I heard my name called. I turned around and was punched in the face, wrestled to the ground where I was punched and kicked."

He said he grabbed the person doing it and swore at him, which stopped the alleged attack.

He said he ran to his house and picked up a kitchen knife and told them to get off his property.

"I realised what I was doing, panicked and I put the knife in a compost heap," he added.

Armed police arrived at his house and Douglas was arrested.

Proceeding.