A KOSOVAN scarred by a knife attack has told how his face was covered with blood during a clash with a rival Kosovan group in Swindon town centre.

On Tuesday, Afrim Sulay, 23, showed the Swindon Crown Court jury the scar across the bridge of his nose to the middle of his face.

Mr Sulay, who arrived in Swindon claiming political asylum, said he received the injury during violence which erupted in the central shopping centre on May 8 this year.

He was with his Kosovan friend Gazmend Shala when he recognised Fred Pjetri in the other group.

"He made some kind of threat to attack us," he told Richard Smith, prosecuting, through an interpreter.

"He pulled out a sword and Gazmend said, 'What are you doing?'"

Mr Sulay said he then saw a man called Johnny with a knife.

"I was trying to protect myself," he said. "I felt a sharp pain in my face. My face was covered with blood, the blood was dripping on my shirt and my body."

He walked away from the scene with Mr Shala, who was bending forward holding his right hand to his stomach, and taken to hospital for treatment.

Pjetri, 19, of Maxwell Street, Swindon, denies charges of having an offensive weapon in Regent Street, Swindon, violent disorder and wounding Mr Shala with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

Cross-examined by Mike Pulsford, defending, Mr Sulay said Pjetri pulled out the sword and shouted "Attack now" to his friends.

He did not see Pjetri stab Mr Shala. His own injury had been caused by Johnny with the knife.

The trial continues.