A Suffolk man was stabbed in the neck with a kitchen knife after he confronted an alleged thief, a court has heard.

The victim had confronted Jason Hamilton in Lowestoft town centre and demanded that he returned money he believed he had stolen from a homeless alcoholic earlier in the day, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Marc Brown, prosecuting, said Hamilton had denied taking the money and the victim had allegedly headbutted him.

Later the same day, Hamilton and the victim saw each other in Station Square, Lowestoft, and during an angry exchange Hamilton had allegedly swung at him with a kitchen knife, causing a cut to his neck under his left ear which was later treated at hospital.

Hamilton, 46, of Suffolk Road, Lowestoft, has denied stealing £160 cash, wounding his victim with intent to do him grievous bodily harm and having an article with a blade in Station Square, Lowestoft.

The offences are alleged to have been committed on October 26 last year.

The court heard that, after his arrest, Hamilton declined to answer questions put to him by police officers.

The trial continues.