A man stabbed a clubber five times by accident after finding a knife on the floor during a fight, a court has heard.

Hoopang Wong, 25, was giving evidence at his trial at Kingston Crown Court, where he is charged with wounding with intent by stabbing.

His friend Darren Henry, 24, was charged with actual bodily harm, accused of punching their alleged victim.
 

The pair are accused of attacking clubber Karlos Frederick at Oceana on May 20 this year.

Mr Wong claimed Mr Frederick started the altercation that led to his stabbing, and denied smuggling a knife into Clarence street venue.

The jury heard how Mr Wong, from Northolt, Middlesex, had two previous convictions for having a knife in a public place, in 2006 and 2007.

But Mr Wong said he had changed his ways.

He said: "I changed my life when I was carrying knives at the time I had moved to a new area. I was hanging around some people from a tough crowd.

"We were the youngsters and we used to carry knives for the elders. They made us carry knives and drugs.

"After my second conviction I made a promise to my mum I would stop hanging around with them."

He told the court he found the flick knife on the floor of the club after falling down the stairs with Mr Frederick. He picked it up out of panic and stabbed him accidentally when he tried to stand up again.

Mr Frederick received three stab wounds to his right thigh, one to his right left thigh and another to his left armpit.

Mr Wong said: "I leaned on him to stand up and while I was standing up I accidentally cut him in his armpit."

Asked by prosecutor Mark Stern how Mr Frederick was stabbed in his left armpit when he was holding the knife in his left hand, Mr Wong said: "I don't know."

Mr Wong also said after the incident he hid the knife in his trousers because he was fearful of somebody else using it on him.

He said: "I kept it on me for my own protection."

Mr Wong told the court he had drunk a friend’s drink, which contained a legal high that made him feel "wavy" on the night.

Anthony Harrison, defending Mr Henry, said his client could not have repeatedly punched Mr Frederick in the face as it was claimed.

If he had, then Mr Frederick would have received more than just a small swelling above his eye, Mr Harrison argued.

He also said blood found on Mr Henry's hands and t-shirt could easily have been transferred by coming into contact with Mr Wong after the stabbing.

Both Mr Wong and Mr Henry, from Perivale, Middlesex, deny the charge.

The jury is expected to retire today to consider its verdict.