A Lowestoft man has denied that he stabbed another man in the face, causing a cut that needed seven stitches.

Danny Cole told a jury that he had seen another man hit Christopher Damerell with a hammer during an incident in Greenfield Road, Lowestoft, and he denied causing him any injury.

Giving evidence at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday), Cole said he had been watching television at a house in Greenfield Road when Mr Damerell's stepson, Daniel Greenwood, had called round.

He said Mr Greenwood, who had been drinking, was asked to leave by the owner of the house and shortly afterwards a number of windows at the property were smashed.

Mr Greenwood and his brother, Jamie, had then barged through the front door and there had been a scuffle in the hallway, he said.

Cole told the court that his mother had arrived at the house and that she had prevented the Greenwood brothers from getting back inside, while stopping him and other occupants from leaving the property.

He claimed he had seen Daniel Greenwood carrying a knife and that he had then picked up a kitchen knife to defend himself. 'I panicked because someone else had a knife,' Cole said.

He said he was worried that the Greenwood brothers were trying to get back into the house and that he was also concerned for the safety of his mother, who was outside.

He then left the house through the back door and saw Mr Damerell at the front gate, holding a knife down by his side, he added.

Cole told the court he then saw the owner of the house where the windows had been broken walk up to Mr Damerell and hit him on the head with a hammer, causing him to fall over and hit his head on the ground.

He denied slashing Mr Damerell's face with a knife.

Cole, 24, of Greenfield Road, Lowestoft, has pleaded not guilty to wounding Mr Damerell with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm on August 27, 2011, having an article with a blade, and assaulting Jamie Greenwood by beating.

It has been alleged that Mr Damerell had left his home in nearby Briarwood Road after hearing a disturbance and was stabbed in the face by Cole.

After his arrest, Cole said: 'I've done nothing wrong. All I've done is defend myself and my family.'

Giving evidence, Mr Damerell told the court he had not been aware of his stepson Daniel Greenwood smashing windows of a house in the area on the night in question.

He denied leaving his house carrying a knife and denied being involved in an incident in the street.

The trial continues today (Wednesday).