THE victim in an attempted murder case stormed out of court after being branded a drug dealer.

Swindon man Vincent MacNamee was in Bristol Crown Court to give evidence for the second day of the trial against the four men accused of trying to kill him.

The jury was told by the defence that Mr MacNamee was a drug dealer stabbed by a man defending himself.

And when it was claimed that Mr MacNamee's partner, Karen Woolbridge, was also involved in dealing, he walked out threatening to punch the defence counsel.

Under cross-examination by Marcus Tregilgas-Davey who is defending Amanda Bailey who denies assisting an offender after the attack Mr MacNamee was also accused of involving his wife in dealing drugs.

But Mr Tregilgas-Davey repeatedly said to him: "You used to cut the drugs up and she used to keep your money."

Mr MacNamee replied: "You're not putting my wife down. Say that again and I'll come over there and chin you. Your honour I'm not having him saying that about my wife." Before he stormed out, leaving the case to be adjourned until Monday, the defence yesterday claimed Mr MacNamee was injured after pulling a gun and then a knife on Gary Peapell.

Peapell, 26, of Beachcroft Road, and Tony Salvatori, 40, of County Road, are charged with attempted murder and wounding with intent along with two other men, Douglas Thompson, 42, of Victoria Road, and Anthony Walsh, 26, of Primrose Hill, Haydon Wick.

The prosecution claims Mr MacNamee was asleep on the sofa when the gang burst in his friend's house in Stamford Close, Toothill, and started attacking him following a row over a woman. It is alleged he was stabbed three times, had a broken bottle rammed in his face and thought he was going to die.

Miss Bailey, 38, of Bracknell, and Paul Moss, 38, of Cottingham Close, Freshbrook, are charged with assisting an offender. All six suspects have pleaded not guilty.

The case continues.

Gareth Bethell