Man slashed friend's throat outside Wolverhampton pound store, court told

Violence flared following a chance meeting between Danny Miller and Michael McIntosh in the city centre, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The jury heard how the pair fell out over money three weeks before Miller allegedly slashed Mr McIntosh with a Stanley knife in broad daylight in front of shoppers.

The victim said: "He looked at me and said 'I have cut your throat' and I looked down and could see the blood running down my jumper.

"I was frightened. I could not see the extent of the injury but I could feel the blood running down my neck. It was as if a small tap had been opened. I tried to stay calm because I knew that if I panicked it would make things worse."

Mr Graeme Simpson, prosecuting, said Miller, of Weston Drive, Bilston, threw the knife in a rubbish bin before trying to flee from security staff in the Wulfrun Centre. Mr Simpson said the 41-year-old was later detained in Argos by a Poundland security guard.

Mr McIntosh was injured on July 30 last year. He was slashed in the neck below the jaw, the court heard.

Mr Simpson said the pair had been spotted arguing in Lichfield Street minutes earlier and had been warned by police to stay away from each other.

But they both ended up in Poundland and Miller attacked as they walked from the rear of the shop into the Wulfrun Centre, said Mr Simpson.

"Fortunately the blade did not hit any arteries or veins. He was very lucky," the lawyer added.

Defending, Mr Neil Skinner said Mr McIntosh had tailed Miller into Poundland, demanding an apology, before the pair started fighting. Customer Donna Wiggins also told the jury she had seen them in a 'scuffle'.

But the victim insisted 'there was no fight', adding: "He suddenly turned round and hit me to the left side of my neck below the jaw line. I did not see anything in his hand and thought it was a punch.

"He went back into Poundland and I was screaming for the security to stop him. They were trying to block him off and he was trying to dodge round them."

Miller pleads not guilty to wounding Mr McIntosh with intent and an alternative charge of unlawful wounding. He further denies possession of a Stanley knife.

The trial continues.