Mid Ocean Club.

Craig N. Astwood of North Court Avenue appeared in Supreme Court charged with unlawfully wounding Brian Oatley, 33, with intent to do grievous bodily harm and unlawfully doing grievous bodily harm.

Oatley claimed that on March 23 on the dump site of the Mid Ocean Club Astwood hit him three times with a hoe after he accidentally dumped soil out of the tractor he was operating while Astwood was in front sifting through rubble.

Oatley sustained several abrasions, lacerations, and bruises to his body. The court heard that Astwood and Oatley were working together as groundsmen at the golf club.

Oatley said that while Astwood was standing on the platform pulling soil from the payloader he tried to adjust his seat and accidentally hit the joystick, dumping the rubble out of the machine's bucket.

"I got out of the machine and walked over to the sifter to see if he (Astwood) was okay and he said he was,'' Oatley said.

"He was standing on the platform at the time. I apologised to him and told him it was a mistake. He told me not to worry.

"I turned around to walk to the payloader and I don't remember anything after that.'' He added: "I remember bits and pieces like my shirt being full of blood on the way to the hospital and being in pain.

"I was in pain all over. I stayed in the hospital for a week.'' Oatley also told the court that as a result of the attack, he has no feeling on the right side of his nose and the upper part of his lip.

Lawyer for the accused Mr. Archie Warner stated that Astwood was working out of the bucket of the tractor and Oatley deliberately tilted the bucket causing Astwood to fall out.

"I believe you purposely dumped the defendant out of the bucket causing him to fall in the sifter, because you're a practical joker,'' Mr. Warner said.

"After doing so you grinned at Astwood, turned away and rubbed you're behind in gesture.'' In a Police report, Astwood said he threw the hoe after Oatley turned around and walked back to the tractor laughing at what he had done.

Astwood said he hit Oatley a few times because he felt his life was in danger.

The trial continues today.