A BASINGSTOKE teenager has gone on trial for allegedly stabbing a man in the face during a confrontation in an alleyway.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video link at Winchester Crown Court for the start of his trial today (Monday).

He faces a charge of wounding with intent but has already pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Addressing the jury, prosecutor James Haskell said: “The defendant denies intending to cause the victim really serious harm and therefore the principal issue that you will need to decide is whether or not (the teenager) intended to cause serious harm when he wounded (the victim).”

The court heard that the incident took place on January 12, this year. The victim had gone to a One Stop shop for his family who were isolating due to Covid, when he was on his way home and was allegedly confronted by the teenager.

Mr Haskell said: “He (the victim) said he was close to the back gate when he heard a noise and realised that someone had followed him into the alleyway.”

He continued: “(The teenager) was going to confront (the victim) and he had deliberately armed himself with a knife when he (the teenager) left his home address intending to stab (the victim).

“He (the victim) turned around and saw (the teenager) with a knife which he described as a Rambo-style knife.

“He says that (the teenager) was pointing the knife towards him. He says that (the teenager) told him that he was going to stab him, he says he was taking some steps backwards and realised where he was in the alleyway he had nowhere to run.”

The prosecution claim that the defendant came towards the victim with the knife but missed.

“(The teenager) came at him again, he reacted by kicking out and trying to keep some distance between he and the defendant.”

The defendant allegedly struck out at the victim again and stabbed him in the face – the teenager then ran off.

Police were called, and the knife was found in the defendant’s bedroom, it was wet as he allegedly tried to remove any blood.

The jury was told that the teenager denies he initiated a physical confrontation and that he “only brandished the knife to deter (the victim)”.

The trial continues.