A MAN was slashed across his cheek and down his back with a modelling knife during an attack outside his flat, it has been alleged.Christopher Hardman had been at his flat in London Road South, Lowestoft, on December 27 when he answered a knock at the door, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

A MAN was slashed across his cheek and down his back with a modelling knife during an attack outside his flat, it has been alleged.

Christopher Hardman had been at his flat in London Road South, Lowestoft, on December 27 when he answered a knock at the door, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Standing outside his flat were four men and almost immediately he was allegedly set upon with a modelling knife and a cosh.

During the alleged attack, Mr Hardman was slashed across his cheek and his back and tried to knock at a neighbour's flat for help.

Before the court are John Swaby, 39, of Spexhall Way, Lowestoft, and Andrew Duffy, 29, of Durban Road, Lowestoft, who have denied wounding Mr Hardman with intent to do him grievous bodily harm on December 27.

Giving evidence, Swaby said he had gone with Duffy to Mr Hardman's flat to return some keys and on the way they had bumped into two other men who were also on their way to see Mr Hardman.

He said that when Mr Hardman opened his door, the two men who had arrived at the flat with him and Duffy had attacked him with a modelling knife and a cosh, leaving Mr Hardman had been covered in blood.

Swaby denied being involved in the attack and claimed that he had pulled the other two men off Mr Hardman before leaving with Duffy.

He said he had later seen one of the two men involved in the attack hiding the weapons on waste ground in Mill Road and he had told police where the weapons were.

Duffy told the court that the two men who went to Mr Hardman's flat with him and Swaby had said they wanted to 'have a word' with Mr Hardman.

The trial continues today (Wednesday).