MOUNTING tension between two groups of Boxing Day drinkers ended with a man being stabbed in a clash outside a village cricket club, a court heard.

Festive goodwill gave way to pushing and shoving between rival parties at the karaoke night at Etherley Cricket Club, in High Etherley, near Bishop Auckland, late on December 26.

Durham Crown Court was told Thomas Ian Adams, the son of then licensee and steward Fred Adams, and Michael Joseph Dunn, were asked to leave.

Adrian Dent, prosecuting, said there had been “ill feeling” between some of those at the club and Dunn, also known as Michael Tray, over alleged drug use.

But, Mr Dent said “events” moved outside and resulted in a clash at the top of steps leading from the club onto a passing road.

A drinker from the club who went out for a cigarette intervened to part a friend involved in a scuffle with Adams.

“He was trying to act as a peacemaker in a situation which was getting out of hand.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t go as he hoped, as it’s alleged this defendant went towards him and stabbed him to the left side of the chest with what is thought to have been a Swiss Army knife.”

Mr Dent said the victim did not initially realise he had been stabbed until Adams turned and threatened to “cut up” another man, before fleeing on foot.

But as the 28-year-old victim began to bleed heavily from the wound he was helped back into the clubhouse before being taken to hospital for surgery for a wound which damaged the muscle between two ribs.

Mr Dent said: “He was extremely fortunate not to have sustained more serious injury as, luckily, no vital organs were damaged.”

Adams was arrested early the following day and claimed the injury had nothing to do with him.

No Swiss Army-type knife was recovered by police, although it was said that Adams was carrying such a weapon earlier in the evening.

Adams, 31, of The Crescent, High Etherley, now admits a charge of possessing an offensive weapon, but denies affray and wounding with intent, plus the alternative count of unlawful wounding.

He claims he acted in self-defence fearing he was about to be attacked.

Dunn, 29, of Red Houses, High Etherley, previously admitted affray and remains in custody awaiting sentence at the end of the trial of his co-accused.

The case continues tomorrow (Tuesday June 4).