A SUSPECT in the attempted murder of Vincent MacNamee trial is a manipulative liar who has blamed others to get himself off the hook, a court has heard.

Francis Chamberlain accused Tony Salvatori of a smear campaign against his co-defendants.

It is alleged that Mr Macnamee, 39, was stabbed and bottled when a gang burst into a house in Swindon in a row over a woman.

Mr Chamberlain, representing Gary Peapell, who has admitted stabbing the victim but denies bottling him, said: "Mr Salvatori is a manipulative liar."

Salvatori, 40, of County Road, whose nickname is Gilly, had previously refused to comment on the incident, other than to deny his own involvement, because he said he was scared of reprisals from Peapell.

But Mr Chamberlain said: "Mr Salvatori would not answer any questions about what went on. The reason that he did not give evidence was not that he was frightened. It has been suggested that he is a timid character who is frightened. He has attempted to manipulate this case.

"Mr Salvatori is very worried. He has started throwing all his toys out of the pram and he will do anything to smear anyone as long as it's not him."

Earlier at Bristol Crown Court yesterday Salvatori's counsel had told the jury all the evidence pointed to Peapell.

Nicolas Gerasimidis said: "As with so much in life you tend to reject the things that are unreliable or untrustworthy.

"The evidential bridge from innocence to guilt which the prosecution invites you to cross is unsafe, unreliable and unsound.

"There is a reasonable inference that points the finger firmly at Mr Peapell. You cannot conclude, so that you are sure, that Mr Salvatori did do the bottling."

Salvatori and Peapell, 26, formerly of Beechcroft Road, are charged with attempted murder and wounding with intent while Amanda Bailey, 38 of Bracknell and Paul Moss, 38, of Cottingham Close, Freshbrook are charged with assisting an offender.

Douglas Thompson, 42 of Victoria Road, had his charge of attempted murder dropped due to lack of evidence but still faces a charge of wounding with intent, while Anthony Walsh, 26, of Primrose Hill, Haydon Wick, had charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent dropped last week. All plead not guilty to all charges. The case continues.

Gareth Bethell