Last updated at 14:02, Tuesday, 12 June 2012

A MAN feared for his life as he was punched, kicked and slashed with a knife at his Ulverston home, a court has heard.

Michael Metcalfe heard one of two men say: “Let’s give him a Glasgow smile” before he was cut across the mouth.

Preston Crown Court was told the alleged attack happened at Mr Metcalfe’s home in Kingsway, Ulverston.

Michael Pettinger, 34, of Hawthorn Avenue, Ulverston, and 36-year-old Michael Dixon of Buxton Place, Ulverston, have each pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated burglary, wounding with intent and having an offensive weapon – namely a knife.

At the start of a trial yesterday, a jury was told that Mr Metcalfe had been visited earlier that day, December 5 last year, by his mother.

Mr John Woodward, prosecuting, said Mr Metcalfe was expecting his mother to call round again later on.

When he heard a knock at the door, he thought it was her.

He said he was ‘very surprised’ when the door was forced open and he was knocked to the floor, banging his head at the bottom of the stairwell.

The prosecution claim that the two defendants were there and started to punch and kick him about his body and head.

Mr Metcalfe, who asked what was going on, was allegedly told by Pettinger: “You know why we are here, because you are a grass”.

The attack continued and it was claimed that Mr Metcalfe knew one of the men to be Pettinger, someone he had known for about five years.

It was alleged that Dixon had a knife with a large blade.

One of the men allegedly said: “Let’s give him a Glasgow smile”.

Mr Woodward continued: “He began to fear for his life and felt trapped and began to cry.

“He was begging them to stop.

“Mr Metcalfe says he felt the blade of the knife go across his mouth and he felt the blade go into his mouth and cut the side of his mouth.

“He was trying to get away. He grabbed the blade of the knife and cut himself.

“He tried to grab the blade defensively with his other hand and was also injured there”.

The court heard Mr Metcalfe managed to struggle free and found himself outside his own property.

He was later taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries.

The trial continues.

First published at 13:06, Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk