Chef attacked waiter with knife at Cannock restaurant, trial told
A chef wielding a 12ins meat knife lunged at a waiter at a restaurant in Staffordshire and slashed him across the stomach after the two men fell out, a court heard.
Mohibul Babul attacked Nazim Miah in the kitchen of the Eastern Memories restaurant in Bridgtown, Cannock, a jury was told. The waiter needed hospital treatment for his injuries.
Stafford Crown Court was told how Babel thrust the knife into Mr Miah as the waiter stood aside to let the chef past.
Babel claimed he had tripped and stumbled into Mr Miah when he was later interviewed by police.
It came just days after the manager had to intervene when an argument escalated into a fight between the two men.
Mr Miah, aged 28, described the alleged attack to the jury in Babul's trial yesterday.
He said: "I could see him coming towards me with the knife he was using to cut the meat.
"He came to the side of me and slashed me on the right side of the stomach with the knife.
"I almost fainted and screamed at the same time.
"He was just standing there as though nothing had happened."
Babul, aged 34, of New Mills Street, Walsall, denies a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.
Miss Lisa Hancox, prosecuting, said Mr Miah was left with a one-inch cut to his side which was later glued in hospital.
Three days before the attack, which happened on November 26 last year, the two men had been involved in an argument, the court heard.
Babul had only been working at the restaurant for two weeks when a row erupted into a fight, which led the manager to speak to both of them.
Miss Hancox claimed that there was 'ill feeling' between the men.
"The defendant was interviewed the next day and he told the police he was cutting meat in the kitchen and checking the opposite end of the kitchen," she said.
"He had a knife and en route, he tripped and the knife made contact with Mr Miah.
"The defendant had no reason to be crossing the kitchen, never mind with a dangerous implement in his hand.
"The prosecution says it wasn't an accident – he assaulted Mr Miah. He saw an opportunity and he took it."
Babul pleaded not guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm when he appeared before Stafford Crown Court in July.
He was released on bail until his trial date.
The trial continues.
