A MAN accused of attempting to murder a father after a row in a pub shouted he would kill him moments after stabbing him in the neck, a court heard.

Glenn Freeman, 26, of King Georges Place, Maldon, is charged with attempting to murder Darren de Vries, following an incident outside the Warwick Arms in Maldon on December 5.

Freeman is also facing trial at Chelmsford Crown Court for wounding with intent and unlawful wounding of Mr de Vries.

He denies all the charges.

The jury, of seven men and five women, heard how Mr de Vries and Freeman had been involved in an altercation in the pub shortly after 1.30am.

Words were exchanged between the pair and Mr de Vries went to the bar to get a drink Simon Gladwell, prosecuting, said: “The defendant then came round to his side of the bar and stood right next to him. Mr de Vries said he was gaping at him, making him feel increasingly nervous.

“’What is your problem?’ Mr de Vries asked.”

Shortly after this Mr de Vries felt a punch and hit Freeman with a bar stall.

The fight was broken up and the men pushed in different directions.

Freeman then left the pub and Mr Gladwell said he could be heard outside shouting ‘bring him out, I will fight him’.

Five minutes later Mr de Vries exited the pub into the car park.

Mr Gladwell said: “He saw the defendant 15 feet away, his arms up, fists closed in a boxing stance. Mr de Vries put up his fists as well.

“The defendant launched at him and Mr de Vries felt a punch or tap that made contact with the left side of his neck or shoulder.

“Almost immediately he felt his left arm go numb and blood trickled down his arm.”

Mr Gladwell said Mr de Vries had been stabbed “by what must have been a sharp object.”

Mr de Vries then ran back into the pub.

Mr Gladwell added: “The defendant followed Mr de Vries shouting ‘I’m going to f***ing kill him, I’m going to kill the ****’.”

An ambulance was called and the police contacted.

Freeman left the scene and was caught after a police helicopter and ground search.

Mr Gladwell said he could be seen on police tapes jumping fences and hedges to avoid arrest.

He was later caught and taken to Chelmsford Police Station where he gave ‘no comment’ interviews.

Mr Gladwell said: “The prosecution invite you to find him guilty of attempted murder.

“First he wanted to continue the initial fight after it had stopped in the pub.

“Secondly he stabbed Mr de Vries and stabbed him in the neck/shoulder area. Everyone knows if you stab someone there you are likely to cause a very serious injury if not death.

“After he had done this he said he wanted to kill him.

“As Mr de Vries went into the pub he tried to go into the pub to get him.

“He didn’t wait to see the police - when they arrived he ran. When asked questions on him being arrested he gives a no comment interview.”

The trial continues.