Police because he was ashamed and embarrassed to reveal he had been propositioned by the complaintant in the case.

John O'Donald Fox told a Supreme Court jury that the real reason he stabbed office manager Michael O'Brian on November 2, 1993 was because he "went off his head'' after O'Brian made sexual advances towards him.

O'Brian received knife wounds to his elbow, arm and left side of his stomach which damaged his intestines and caused multiple wounds to his pancreas during the attack, which took place in his apartment.

Fox, 24, of Bridle Hill, Smith's Parish, has denied the charges and also denies wounding O'Brian with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Earlier this week O'Brian told the Supreme Court that after letting Fox into his Langton Lane apartment to use the phone book, he felt a blow to the side of his head which knocked him to the floor.

He added that Fox demanded money, and hit him several more times before he could escape and get help.

Yesterday Fox said that because he was in financial trouble he approached his friend Joe Fortuna, who worked at Marshall's Maintenance, to borrow some money.

"He said he couldn't help me because he sent money to the Azores, but he would try to look into a loan for me. The next day when I went to Marshall's to see Joe, I met Michael O'Brian who told me that Joe was not there and would be back in a few hours.

"O'Brian and I started talking about my financial problems and he told me that it was a shame that young people could not find employment. I felt he was concerned about what I was saying to him.

"He told me he may be able to help me and when I asked him how, he said he would have to see.'' Fox said that O'Brian invited him to come to his apartment later on that night.

"Around 10 p.m. I went to O'Brian's apartment and knocked on the door.

"He came to the door, and I asked him if he remembered me from earlier that day. He said yes and invited me in.

"I knew I had a friend that lived in one of the apartments but I wasn't sure which one. O'Brian asked me if my friend's name would be in the phone book and I said it might be.

"After I looked in the book I asked him if he was still willing to help me and he said he was wondering if I was going to show up or not.'' Fox said he told O'Brian that he was willing to pay him back when he could.

"He told me that he would help me if I did something for him. I asked him what it was but he acted like he didn't know how to say it.

"He finally said that sex was involved and I was shocked.'' Fox added: "I told him I wasn't about all that, and I didn't come up here for all that. I told him I only came because he said he'd help.

"He asked me how bad I needed the money and said nowadays people don't do things for free.

"As he was saying this to me he started rubbing my arm. I pushed his arm away and I told him not to do that.

"O'Brian told me that I was the one that needed the money and if I really wanted it I would do what he wanted.'' Fox said O'Brian started touching him again and he pushed him away.

"O'Brian picked a knife up from the ironing board and told me to get out of his house.

"We started arguing and I told him that he was low for doing what he did.

I called him a dirty, rotten faggot and I told him he should be ashamed of himself.'' Fox said that as they argued they started scuffling and it turned into a fight.

"I must have lost my head and that's when I stabbed him. After that he was still fighting.

"I realised what I did when I saw guts hanging out of his stomach.

"O'Brian screamed for help and I got scared so I left the apartment. I got back in the cab that I came in and asked the driver to take me home.'' When questioned by his lawyer Mr. Archie Warner, Fox said: "I never attempted to murder anyone. I'm not a murderer.'' The trial continues today.